Continuing on with our predictions for 2025, today we are looking at our preseason picks for the LPGA Comeback Player of the Year candidates. These are players that may have underperformed in 2024, looking to get back into form in 2025.
Minjee Lee – Minjee Lee had a wildly confusing 2024 season. While she was close to winning a couple times, at the U.S. Women’s Open and Scottish Open, the majority of the season was so far from what we are used to out of the two-time major champion. Lee finished N0. 54 in the CME Standings, her first time outside of the top 10 since 2017. Interestingly, she still excelled in ball striking, but she was one of the worst putters on tour, finishing an unbelievable No. 137 in strokes-gained putting. If her putting was even average she probably would’ve gotten a couple wins under her belt.
Jin Young Ko – Jin Young Ko didn’t have a bad season necessarily, its just she is held to a higher standard than almost anyone on the LPGA Tour. One of the modern legends of the sport, 2024 was Ko’s first season without a win in her seven-year career. Ko got off to a slow start and never really took off. She did have two runner-up finishes at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the FM Championship, but fell out of the top 10 in the Rolex Rankings. Expect her to play more and at a higher level in 2025.
Danielle Kang – Its tough to say, but there’s really only up for Kang to go. Kang finished under par in just three events in 2024 and finished No. 157 in scoring average. The thing about Kang though, she is still an elite putter of the golf ball. For players with enough rounds to qualify, Kang was fifth in strokes-gained putting. Almost the inverse of Lee, if Kang can find any consistency on full shots, she can return to being a solid contender on the LPGA Tour.
Hyo Joo Kim – Hyo Joo Kim has long been one of the most consistent players on the LPGA Tour, and that did continue in 2024. Kim missed only three cuts in her 18 starts, but she just was not in contention as much as one would expect. Kim finished top 10 just three times and only finished in the top five once, in her first start of the season. Kim finished under half of her tournaments under par and really took a dip statistically, especially on approach where she has previously thrived, was her worst category in 2024. Expect her to be back in form in the new year.
Angel Yin – Angel Yin didn’t really have a bad season, or a lower than standards season, injuries just got her off to a tough start. After a promising 2023, Yin suffered a severe leg injury before the first tournament, which ultimately is likely why she was kept off the Solheim Cup team. Once she was back on the course though, she played a lot, starting in 20 events, making 13 cuts and impressively finishing in the top 10 seven times. Four of those top-10 finishes were October or later, and I expect Yin to be on top of leaderboards at a consistent level in 2025.
