Bailey Tardy won her first LPGA title on Sunday at the Blue Bay LPGA in China, bucking the 2024 trend of winners that have all been major champions. The who’s who list of champions — Lydia Ko, Nelly Korda, Patty Tavatanakit and Hannah Green — so far this season stands in stark contrast to what the tour saw in 2023.
Last year, a record 12 players were Rolex First-Time winners, up from a record-tying 11 in 2022 (first set in 1995). Actually, 13 players won for the first time last year, but because Mone Inami did not become an official member in 2023, deferring to 2024, she’s not recognized as a Rolex First-Time winner.
After Tardy’s victory in China, she moved up 85 spots in the Rolex Rankings to No. 84. Who might be the next first-time winner? Here are 10 players waiting for that breakout moment (with Rolex Ranking):
