The Birdie Briefing - LPGA Podcast

The Birdie Buzz - LPGA News (October 6, 2025)

This week on The Birdie Briefing, Marie recaps a record-setting win in Hawaii, surprising lineup changes ahead of the International Crown, fresh faces earning their LPGA cards, and a beloved veteran stepping into a new chapter off the course. In Hawaii, 22-year-old Youmin Hwang made history at the Lotte Championship, firing a ten-under round and finishing with five birdies in her final six holes to become the 26th unique LPGA winner in just 25 events this season. Marie breaks down how Hwang’s sponsor-exemption win fits into the growing parity across women’s golf—and why Golf Channel’s coverage might have set a new standard for the tour. Then, Marie dives into the latest International Crown shake-ups as Nelly Korda and Patty Tavatanakit step back due to injuries, opening spots for Yealimi Noh and Pajaree Anannarukarn. She also celebrates the 15 new Epson Tour graduates heading to the LPGA in 2026 and shares heart-warming news as Pernilla Lindberg announces she’s expecting her first child. It’s a week of breakthroughs, balance, and big transitions as the LPGA heads to Shanghai to kick off the fall swing.  🎙️ Listen to the full episode anywhere you get your podcasts, and find more women’s-golf coverage at birdiebriefing.com [https://birdiebriefing.com].

The Birdie Buzz - LPGA News (September 29, 2025)

This week on Birdie Buzz, Marie recaps the week in women’s golf—from canceled tournaments that turned into community wins to big conversations about the future of the LPGA.  First, we close out coverage of the Walmart Northwest Arkansas Championship, where rain canceled play but Walmart and the LPGA still delivered a $2 million payout to players and 8,000 donated meals to the local community. Then, LPGA commissioner Craig Kessler makes headlines with yet another Venn diagram—this time adding a third circle and promising to “work ruthlessly” to create global superstars. Marie breaks down what that means, and who might get left out. We also hear from Lexi Thompson, who opened up about stepping back for her mental health, reflecting on the grind of the tour, her earnings this season, and what it says about the financial realities of professional women’s golf. Finally, Michelle Wie West proves she’s still one of the game’s strongest voices, calling out slow play, questioning rules, and sharing her daughter’s budding love for golf. From payouts and policies to retirements and rule changes, Birdie Buzz brings you the front page snapshot of women’s golf you won’t find anywhere else.

The Birdie Buzz - LPGA News (September 22, 2025)

This week’s Birdie Buzz is packed with storylines both on and off the course. The Walmart Northwest Arkansas Championship was washed out after torrential rains, leaving the tournament unofficial at just 18 holes—but not before Lilia Vu flashed signs of her comeback, and Muni “Lily” He impressed with her best round since 2023 under the guidance of a new caddie. LPGA legend Stacy Lewis announced her retirement, bringing her career full circle in Arkansas where she earned her first unofficial win in 2007. Beyond her 13 titles and two majors, Lewis leaves a legacy of leadership, mentorship, and sponsorship growth for the tour. Elsewhere, Craig Kessler secured Fortinet as the new Founders Cup sponsor, ensuring the event’s future with a $3M purse in Northern California. Alison Lee returned to competition just months after an emergency C-section, showing resilience as she balances motherhood with her career. And of course, Charley Hull made headlines once again—this time at Windsor Castle, with hints of a golf game to come alongside former U.S. President Donald Trump. From storm-shortened leaderboards to milestone retirements and fresh sponsorships, this week showcased the unpredictability and personality that makes women’s golf compelling.

The Birdie Brief: Walmart NW Arkansas Championship 2025 Preview

In this episode of The Birdie Briefing, Marie previews the Walmart Northwest Arkansas Championship, the 19th edition of the event at Pinnacle Country Club. This 54-hole, three-day tournament features a $3 million purse with $450,000 going to the winner—one of the larger paydays on tour for a short event. Last year’s champion Jasmine Suwannapura took the title at -17, setting the stage for another week of low scoring—though possible rain could shift the dynamic. While world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul is sitting out ahead of the grueling Asian swing, plenty of big names are in the field. Past champions like Nasa Hataoka, Haeran Ryu, and Stacey Lewis return, alongside Rolex Top 25 players Nelly Korda, Maja Stark, Mao Saigo, and Jin Young Ko. Rising stars and recent winners such as Lottie Woad, Grace Kim, and Chisato Iwai add even more intrigue. Fans attending in person will find one of the most affordable tickets on tour—just $10 per day or $25 for the week—along with fun upgrades like the local “Bite Experience” and the lively Gatorade Loudest Hole at 17. For viewers at home, coverage will be split between Golf Channel and Peacock across all three days. With 25 different winners already this season, the big question looms: will someone finally become a repeat champion, or will we crown the 26th unique winner of 2025? Tune in for what promises to be a dramatic and entertaining week in Arkansas.

The Birdie Buzz - LPGA News (September 15, 2025)

In this debut edition of The Birdie Buzz, Marie delivers the week’s biggest LPGA headlines in one quick listen. First up: Charley Hull breaks through in Cincinnati at the Kroger Queen City Championship, winning her first LPGA title in three years after battling a tough season of injuries. The dramatic finish came as World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul stumbled with a shocking four-putt on the final day, making Hull’s gritty win one of the stories of the season. Next, Marie breaks down the heated Rookie of the Year race led by Japan’s Miyu Yamashita, whose fifth straight top-10 finish gives her an edge over fellow Japanese standouts Rio Takeda and Chisato Iwai. With eight events left, the race is far from over, but Yamashita’s consistency and poise make her the front-runner. The episode also spotlights the newest Epson Tour graduates headed to the LPGA—including 19-year-old Yana Wilson, Japan’s Erika Hana, and Duke alum Gina Kim—showcasing the fresh wave of talent set to join the tour. Finally, Marie shares candid reflections on Commissioner Craig Kessler’s first players’ meeting. While Kessler promised to build trust and refine scheduling, his remarks about women needing to be “more compelling” raised concerns about the LPGA’s media strategy and fan engagement. Marie doesn’t hold back in her critique, stressing that the women are already interesting—it’s the platform that needs to catch up. Stay tuned every week for The Birdie Buzz—your quick front-page snapshot of everything happening in women’s golf.