Photo Credit: Registry Tampa Bay
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The LPGA Tour returns to the Tampa Bay area for one of its most anticipated tournaments. The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican brings the world’s best female golfers to Belleair, Florida. The tournament runs November 12-15 at Pelican Golf Club, with tournament-week activities beginning earlier. The 108-player field will compete for a $3.25 million purse. Additionally, the tournament represents the penultimate event of the 2026 LPGA Tour season. Players will have another opportunity to improve their standings before the CME Group Tour Championship. However, one player enters the week with considerably more at stake. World No. 1 Nelly Korda returns seeking her fourth victory at Pelican Golf Club. A victory would also secure her eligibility for the LPGA Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, defending champion Linn Grant hopes to repeat her impressive performance from last November. Several major champions and rising stars will challenge both players throughout the weekend.
Nelly Korda Chases LPGA History
Korda enters the tournament as the overwhelming storyline because of her remarkable history at Pelican Golf Club. The Bradenton resident previously won this event in 2021, 2022, and 2024. Another victory would make her the tournament’s first four-time champion. Furthermore, Korda recently captured the 2026 Rolex Player of the Year Award. That achievement moved her within one point of LPGA Hall of Fame eligibility. A victory this weekend would provide the remaining point. Korda also hopes to accomplish something the LPGA has not witnessed since 2005. Annika Sörenstam became the last player to win the same LPGA tournament four times. Korda’s familiarity with Pelican Golf Club gives her another advantage. She understands the course’s demanding greens, strategic approach shots, and scoring opportunities. However, history alone will not guarantee another championship. The world’s top-ranked player must overcome a field featuring 17 major champions and numerous international stars.
Defending Champion Linn Grant Returns
Grant enters the tournament hoping to defend her 2025 championship. The Swedish golfer captured last year’s title with an impressive 19-under-par performance. She finished three strokes ahead of her nearest competitor. Her victory also marked her second LPGA Tour championship. Grant’s ability to control her iron shots and capitalize on birdie opportunities makes her dangerous. Additionally, her previous success at Pelican provides valuable confidence. However, repeating as champion presents another challenge. Korda will attract significant attention, while several other contenders arrive with strong credentials. Grant must establish momentum early and avoid unnecessary mistakes around the greens. A successful title defense would strengthen her reputation among the LPGA Tour’s leading international competitors.
Other Impact Players Who Could Win
Haeran Ryu enters as the world’s third-ranked golfer and one of Korda’s strongest challengers. Her consistency and precision make her a serious championship contender. Meanwhile, Lottie Woad arrives ranked seventh worldwide. The talented English golfer continues establishing herself among the game’s brightest young stars. Charley Hull also deserves considerable attention. The English star ranks eighth worldwide and finished runner-up at this tournament in 2024. Sei Young Kim brings another important advantage. She captured the inaugural championship in 2020 and enters this year’s tournament ranked ninth.
Brooke Henderson represents another dangerous contender. The Canadian star combines aggressive driving with the experience necessary to contend against elite competition. Additionally, Lilia Vu returns after winning this championship in 2023. Her major championship experience could prove valuable during Sunday’s final round. Other players worth watching include Gaby Lopez, Ina Yoon, Hye-Jin Choi, Aki Iwai, and Lauren Coughlin. Mao Saigo, Auston Kim, and Esther Henseleit also enter among the world’s top 25 players. The field includes 14 golfers ranked inside the world’s top 25. Consequently, the championship race could remain unpredictable until the final holes.
Complete 2026 ANNIKA Tournament Field
The tournament features 108 players representing established champions, rising professionals, and promising amateur golfers. Here are all 108 entrants from the November 8 published field. Changes remain possible before Thursday’s opening round.
Player field
108 of 108
Narin An
Saki Baba
Jenny Bae
Laetitia Beck
Ana Belac
Celine Boutier
Ashleigh Buhai
Briana Chacon
Hye-Jin Choi
Robyn Choi
Carlota Ciganda
Allisen Corpuz
Lauren Coughlin
Olivia Cowan
Karis Davidson
Manon De Roey
Perrine Delacour
Brianna Do
Amanda Doherty
Gemma Dryburgh
Lindy Duncan
Nicole Broch Estrup
Jodi Ewart Shadoff
Laney Frye
Ayaka Furue
Isi Gabsa
Linn Grant
Melanie Green
Nataliya Guseva
Erika Hara
Brooke Henderson
Esther Henseleit
Wei-Ling Hsu
Charley Hull
Youmin Hwang
Jin Hee Im
Aki Iwai
Chizzy Iwai
Jiwon Jeon
Soo Bin Joo
Minji Kang
Minami Katsu
Gurleen Kaur
Megan Khang
A Lim Kim
Auston Kim
Gina Kim
Grace Kim
Sei Young Kim
Frida Kinhult
Jin Young Ko
Nelly Korda
Jennifer Kupcho
Maude-Aimee Leblanc
Alison Lee
Andrea Lee
Dongeun Lee
Somi Lee
Jeongeun Lee5
Lucy Li
Ingrid Lindblad
Mary Liu
Yan Liu
Yu Liu
Gaby Lopez
Julia Lopez Ramirez
Polly Mack
Nanna Koerstz Madsen
Leona Maguire
Brooke Matthews
Carolina Melgrati
Morgane Metraux
Nastasia Nadaud
Yuna Nishimura
Annabelle Pancake-Webb
Alexa Pano
Macy Pate
Pornanong Phatlum
Cassie Porter
Jessica Porvasnik
Mimi Rhodes
Pauline Roussin-Bouchard
Haeran Ryu
Mao Saigo
Lizette Salas
Yuka Saso
Scarlett Schremmer
Sophia Schubert
Hinako Shibuno
Jenny Shin
Linnea Strom
Rio Takeda
Chiara Tamburlini
Patty Tavatanakit
Carla Tejedo Mulet
Suvichaya Vinijchaitham
Lilia Vu
Lauren Walsh
Dewi Weber
Yana Wilson
Lottie Woad
Jing Yan
Angel Yin
Ina Yoon
Yuri Yoshida
Michelle Zhang
Rose Zhang
Weiwei Zhang
Sponsor Invitations Bring Additional Excitement
Three sponsor invitations provide another interesting storyline at Pelican Golf Club. Scarlett Schremmer represents the University of Miami after earning preseason All-American recognition. Her appearance provides an opportunity to compete against established LPGA professionals. Meanwhile, Annabelle Pancake-Webb brings a local connection to the tournament. The Sarasota resident earned LPGA Tour membership for 2027 following her Epson Tour success. Wake Forest standout Macy Pate completes the sponsor invitation group. She will gain valuable experience competing against some of the world’s best golfers. These three players face significant challenges against such an experienced field. However, their participation highlights the tournament’s commitment to developing women’s golf.
Why Pelican Golf Club Could Decide the Championship
Pelican Golf Club provides a challenging setting for the LPGA Tour’s final stretch. Players must combine accurate driving, precise approach shots, and consistent putting to contend. Furthermore, Florida’s coastal conditions could influence scoring throughout the tournament. Windy conditions would make club selection and distance control especially important. The course’s greens will also test each player’s short-game confidence. Competitors who consistently avoid three-putts could gain an advantage. However, players cannot simply rely on conservative strategies. Birdie opportunities will reward those who attack accessible hole locations. Last year’s winning score of 19-under par demonstrates the scoring potential. Grant nearly matched the tournament record during her championship performance. Consequently, contenders must balance aggressive play with intelligent course management.
Final Prediction: Who Wins The ANNIKA?
Korda enters as my championship favorite. Her three previous victories at Pelican Golf Club provide an advantage few competitors can match. Furthermore, the possibility of securing Hall of Fame eligibility adds another compelling storyline. However, Hull represents my strongest alternative selection. Her runner-up finish in 2024 demonstrates her ability to challenge for this championship. Ryu and Woad also deserve consideration because of their world rankings and competitive consistency. Meanwhile, Grant remains dangerous because she understands exactly what winning at Pelican requires.
The tournament promises several fascinating battles between established champions and emerging stars. With $3.25 million available and the season-ending championship approaching, every round carries significant importance. Ultimately, Korda has an opportunity to accomplish something truly historic in front of a Florida crowd. My prediction: Nelly Korda captures her fourth ANNIKA championship and earns the final point needed for LPGA Hall of Fame eligibility. However, with 108 competitors chasing the same trophy, another unforgettable finish could await at Pelican Golf Club.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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