The LPGA Tour is reeling from yet another setback, as the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship has been officially canceled due to serious financial issues involving the tournament’s underwriter.
This latest blow comes just weeks after the resignation of LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, leaving the tour in a state of uncertainty heading into the 2025 season.
The Shocking Reason Behind the Cancellation
The March 20-23 tournament at Palos Verdes Golf Club was expected to be one of the highlights of the early LPGA season. However, the event’s title underwriter failed to fulfill any financial obligations, leaving not a single dollar from last year’s $2 million purse accounted for.
This means that not even Nelly Korda’s $300,000 winner’s check from 2024 has been paid out—a stunning development that raises serious concerns about financial security in women’s golf.
“We are deeply disappointed to announce that this year’s Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship will not take place,” said interim LPGA Commissioner Liz Moore in a statement.
“We apologize for the impact this has on our players, as well as our audience, partners, and volunteers.”
The LPGA has promised to work with Title Sponsor Fir Hills and LPGA legend Seri Pak to bring the event back to the schedule once this financial crisis is resolved.
But how did it get to this point?
How Does a Tournament Lose Its Prize Money?
Financial issues like this are rare on the PGA Tour, but unfortunately, women’s golf still faces an uphill battle when it comes to sponsorship stability.
- The LPGA relies on corporate sponsors and underwriters to provide funding for events.
- In this case, the underwriter failed to deliver on its financial commitments, essentially defaulting on the prize money.
- The LPGA was left with no choice but to cancel the event—an embarrassing and frustrating outcome for players and fans alike.
This situation raises big questions about how the LPGA secures funding and whether they need stronger financial safeguards to prevent something like this from happening again.
The Fallout: A Tour in Transition?
The LPGA was already in flux after Marcoux Samaan’s sudden resignation at the end of 2024. Liz Moore has stepped in as interim commissioner, but there’s no clear successor in place—leaving the tour without long-term leadership at a critical time.
With the 2025 season already off to a rocky start, what happens next?
- The LPGA must find a way to ensure players get paid—delayed prize money damages the tour’s credibility.
- New leadership is urgently needed to stabilize the LPGA and rebuild trust with sponsors.
- The tour cannot afford more cancellations, especially as it fights for equal recognition and financial backing in the sports world.
A Tournament With a Rich History—Now in Limbo
First played in 2018, the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship has produced memorable champions, including Minjee Lee, Brooke Henderson, and Yin Ruoning.
Last year’s event ended in dramatic fashion, with Nelly Korda defeating Ryann O’Toole in a playoff—but Korda and every other player are still waiting for their prize money.
For the players who count on these earnings, this is not just an inconvenience—it’s a major financial hit.
What Happens Now? Can the LPGA Recover?
The LPGA says it is exploring options to reschedule the event, but no timeline has been given.
Meanwhile, fans and players are left wondering: Is this just an isolated incident, or a sign of deeper financial instability?
With no permanent commissioner, no resolution on prize money, and a marquee event scrapped, the LPGA is facing one of its most challenging moments in recent history.
