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Best LPGA players without a win, including two Olympic medalists

beth ann nichols, golfweek
·3-min read

First-time winners on the LPGA were all the rage in 2022 and 2023, but that changed last season when only three players made the list: Lauren Coughlin, Linnea Strom and Bailey Tardy.

In fact, not a single rookie on tour won last season.

That could easily change in 2025, however, with five rookies currently ranked in the top 50.

Rookie Rio Takeda is already a winner on tour, of course, having triumphed at the Toto LPGA Classic. But there are four other highly-ranked newcomers with a solid chance: Miyu Yamashita (13th), Ina Yoon (29th) and twins Akie Iwai (30th) and Chisato (49th).

When it comes to those with more LPGA experience under their belts, however, the short list of best yet to win is incredibly global.

Here's a look at a talented group of 10 who have yet to win (with Rolex Ranking):

Nataliya Guseva, Russia (No. 75)

Nataliya Guseva plays her shot from the 14th tee during the first round of the 2024 Portland Classic at Columbia Edgewater Country Club.
Nataliya Guseva plays her shot from the 14th tee during the first round of the 2024 Portland Classic at Columbia Edgewater Country Club.

Two runner-up finishes in the former Miami player's rookie season shows promise for the first player from Russia to earn an LPGA card.

Esther Henseleit, Germany (No. 31)

Esther Henseleit of Germany plays a shot on the third hole during the final round of the CME Group Tour Championship 2024 at Tiburon Golf Club on November 24, 2024 in Naples, Florida.
Esther Henseleit of Germany plays a shot on the third hole during the final round of the CME Group Tour Championship 2024 at Tiburon Golf Club on November 24, 2024 in Naples, Florida.

Olympic silver medalist finished runner-up at the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open last season immediately after a strong run in Paris. Also finished runner-up at the 2024 Aramco Ladies International on the LET.

Jin Hee Im, South Korea (No. 32)

Jin Hee Im of South Korea watches her shot from the 17th tee during the final round of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican 2024 at Pelican Golf Club on November 17, 2024 in Belleair, Florida.
Jin Hee Im of South Korea watches her shot from the 17th tee during the final round of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican 2024 at Pelican Golf Club on November 17, 2024 in Belleair, Florida.

A six-time KLPGA winner, Im was a rookie last season on the LPGA and posted six top-10 finishes, including a runner-up at The Annika to Nelly Korda.

Stephanie Kyriacou, Australia (No. 54)

Stephanie Kyriacou of Australia plays her second shot on the second hole on day four of the ISPS Handa Australian Open 2024 at Kingston Heath Golf Club on December 01, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia.
Stephanie Kyriacou of Australia plays her second shot on the second hole on day four of the ISPS Handa Australian Open 2024 at Kingston Heath Golf Club on December 01, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia.

LET winner finished runner-up to Ayaka Furue at the 2024 Evian Championship but the 24-year-old didn't see too much success on tour last year after that effort.

Alison Lee, U.S. (No. 35)

Alison Lee looks on during Day one of the AIG Women's Open at St Andrews Old Course on August 22, 2024 in St Andrews, Scotland.
Alison Lee looks on during Day one of the AIG Women's Open at St Andrews Old Course on August 22, 2024 in St Andrews, Scotland.

Two-time winner on the LET, this LPGA veteran struggled in 2024 but finished the season before with three consecutive runner-up showings. Doesn't get much closer.

Xiyu "Janet" Lin, China (No. 23)

Xiyu Lin of China hits a tee shot on the 1st hole during the third round of the Buick LPGA Shanghai 2024 at Qizhong Garden Golf Club on October 12, 2024 in Shanghai, China.
Xiyu Lin of China hits a tee shot on the 1st hole during the third round of the Buick LPGA Shanghai 2024 at Qizhong Garden Golf Club on October 12, 2024 in Shanghai, China.

A three-time winner on the LET, Lin has yet to break through on the LPGA since joining the tour in 2014. She posted five runner-up finishes from the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Gabriela Ruffels, Australia (No. 49)

Gabriela Ruffels of Australia plays her shot from the fifth tee during the second round of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican 2024 at Pelican Golf Club on November 15, 2024 in Belleair, Florida.
Gabriela Ruffels of Australia plays her shot from the fifth tee during the second round of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican 2024 at Pelican Golf Club on November 15, 2024 in Belleair, Florida.

A rookie last season, this former tennis star finished in third place three times on the LPGA in 2024. Ruffels came to the game late and has a high ceiling.

Mao Saigo, Japan (No. 33)

Mao Saigo speaks to the media after the third round of the 2024 CPKC Women's Open at Earl Grey Golf Club.
Mao Saigo speaks to the media after the third round of the 2024 CPKC Women's Open at Earl Grey Golf Club.

A six-time winner on the Japan LPGA, Saigo won the 2024 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year without winning a title. She did, however, finish in the top 10 seven times.

Sarah Schmelzel, U.S. (No. 70)

Sarah Schmelzel of the United States plays her shot from the 11th teeduring the pro-am prior to the CME Group Tour Championship 2024 at Tiburon Golf Club on November 20, 2024 in Naples, Florida.
Sarah Schmelzel of the United States plays her shot from the 11th teeduring the pro-am prior to the CME Group Tour Championship 2024 at Tiburon Golf Club on November 20, 2024 in Naples, Florida.

The 2024 season was a breakout year for 30-year-old Schmelzel, who made her first Solheim Cup team and posted seven top-10 finishes.

Albane Valenzuela, Switzerland (No. 71)

Albane Valenzuela celebrates making a putt during the final round of the Honda LPGA Thailand at Siam Country Club on February 25, 2024 in Chon Buri, Thailand.
Albane Valenzuela celebrates making a putt during the final round of the Honda LPGA Thailand at Siam Country Club on February 25, 2024 in Chon Buri, Thailand.

Another Solheim Cup rookie in 2024, Valenzuela finished a career-best runner-up in Thailand and built a ton of confidence in her fifth season on tour.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Ten of the best players on the LPGA without a win