The LPGA Tour is buzzing with excitement. The 2024 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, presented by Procter & Gamble, is underway at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Arkansas. Founded in 2007, the tournament has seen big names among its title holders. The names include multiple-time champions Stacy Lewis (2) and Nasa Hataoka (2).
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The three-day event started on September 27, with the finale to be played on Sunday, September 29. The tournament has attracted 144 players, all vying for a share of the $3 million purse, which represents a significant 30% increase from last year’s $2.3 million. The winner’s payout has also seen a substantial jump, from $340,000 to $450,000. Additionally, the runner-up will take a prize worth $282,976 in her pockets.
But what about the remaining 63 players who will split the prize purse? The suspense builds as we delve into the full money breakdown for the 2024 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. As each player’s share hangs in the balance, here’s how the purse will be divided as per Golf Monthly:
| Position | Prize Money | Position | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | $450,000 | 34th | $20,604 |
| 2nd | $282,976 | 35th | $19,831 |
| 3rd | $205,279 | 36th | $19,056 |
| 4th | $158,799 | 37th | $18,283 |
| 5th | $127,816 | 38th | $17,507 |
| 6th | $104,576 | 39th | $16,731 |
| 7th | $87,534 | 40th | $16,112 |
| 8th | $76,690 | 41st | $15,493 |
| 9th | $76,690 | 42nd | $14,874 |
| 10th | $68,944 | 43rd | $14,252 |
| 11th | $58,097 | 44th | $13,634 |
| 12th | $54,223 | 45th | $13,169 |
| 13th | $50,815 | 46th | $12,704 |
| 14th | $47,717 | 47th | $12,239 |
| 15th | $44,928 | 48th | $11,774 |
| 16th | $42,449 | 49th | $11,309 |
| 17th | $40,282 | 50th | $10,844 |
| 18th | $38,422 | 51st | $10,536 |
| 19th | $36,873 | 52nd | $10,225 |
| 20th | $35,633 | 53rd | $9,914 |
| 21st | $34,395 | 54th | $9,606 |
| 22nd | $33,154 | 55th | $9,295 |
| 23rd | $31,916 | 56th | $8,984 |
| 24th | $30,675 | 57th | $8,676 |
| 25th | $29,592 | 58th | $8,365 |
| 26th | $28,508 | 59th | $8,058 |
| 27th | $27,421 | 60th | $7,747 |
| 28th | $26,337 | 61st | $7,593 |
| 29th | $25,253 | 62nd | $7,436 |
| 30th | $24,324 | 63rd | $7,282 |
| 31st | $23,394 | 64th | $7,128 |
| 32nd | $22,464 | 65th | $6,971 |
| 33rd | $21,534 |
Now, as the final round reaches its climax, the stakes are higher than ever. Who will rise to the challenge and claim the boosted $450,000 prize? The answer remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the winner will not only secure a significant payday but also make a crucial move in the Race to CME Globe standings.
Currently, Nelly Korda leads the pack by over 1,235 points. However, with the World No. 1 absent from this week’s field, the door is open for contenders to close the gap. The winner will earn 500 valuable points that could potentially shake up the rankings. With several top players opting to rest, the field is wide open. So, who are the top contenders vying for the title?
Notable players are in the running as the chase for the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship is on
Defending champion Haeran Ryu was gearing up for a title defense, but she faced fierce competition from top-ranked players Ashleigh Buhai and Lexi Thompson. Another contender lurking in the shadows is 2022 winner Jeeno Thitikul. The 21-year-old Thai sensation has already shown glimpses of brilliance. She scored impressive rounds of 4 under on each day to sit in the 4th spot alongside seven other players. With a seven-way tie for fourth, the pressure is on. But standing on top is Philippines golfer Dottie Ardina. And her past performances suggest she’s more than up for the challenge.
This season, the 30-year-old has played seven events, making the cut in four. Her standout moment came at the Dana Open, where she secured a T7 finish—her best result so far. Last year’s Walmart Arkansas Open also saw her finish a respectable T10, a season-best that showcased her growing potential.
As the final round unfolds, will Ardina hold onto her lead, or will Thitikul, Buhai, or Thompson seize the crown? The stage is set for an electrifying conclusion.