Golf fans in New England and beyond have been treated to a spectacular showcase this week as the LPGA Tour’s FM Championship made its much-anticipated return to TPC Boston in Norton, Massachusetts. Now in its second year, the tournament has quickly become a magnet for the game’s brightest stars, offering not only a challenging course but also the largest purse on the LPGA calendar outside of the five majors and the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. With $4.1 million up for grabs and a winner’s share of $615,000, it’s no wonder that 21 of the top 25 players in the Rolex Women’s Rankings—and 35 of the world’s top 40—have descended on the historic grounds just 45 minutes outside downtown Boston.
For many, the FM Championship is more than just another stop on the tour. It’s a proving ground, a chance to test their mettle against the best in the world, and a rare opportunity to play for such a hefty payday. The stakes couldn’t be higher—especially for Minjee Lee, the current LPGA money leader. If Lee manages to clinch the title, she’ll surpass the $4 million mark in season earnings, joining an elite club of just five players in LPGA history to achieve that milestone. Last year, both Jeena Thitikul and Nelly Korda broke that barrier, following in the footsteps of Lydia Ko in 2022 and Lorena Ochoa all the way back in 2007. The race for the top is as intense as ever.
The allure of TPC Boston is undeniable. Gil Hanse’s team completed a decade-long renovation in 2017, restoring the course’s classic New England charm and ensuring a stern test for even the most seasoned pros. Once the longtime host of the PGA Tour’s Deutsche Bank Championship, the course is now writing a new chapter with the LPGA’s FM Championship. The field is stacked with major champions and fan favorites. World No. 1 Jeena Thitikul and World No. 2 Nelly Korda headline a lineup that also features Brooke Henderson, fresh off a win last week, as well as Lexi Thompson and Brittany Lincicome, both making rare appearances as they transition into semi-retirement. Defending champion Haeran Ryu is back to protect her crown, while Sei Young Kim has stormed into the weekend with a commanding three-shot lead through 36 holes.
“It’s an incredible field this week,” said a tour spokesperson, reflecting the excitement buzzing around the grounds. “To have so many of the world’s best players competing at TPC Boston, and with such a significant purse, it really raises the stakes for everyone.”
Indeed, the numbers speak for themselves. The top 65 players and ties made the cut and advanced to the weekend, all vying for a slice of the $4.1 million pie. The prize money structure is steep, rewarding consistency and excellence throughout the field. Here’s how the payouts shake out: first place earns $615,000, second $386,734, third $280,548, and so on, with even those finishing in 65th place taking home $9,527. For many players, a strong finish at the FM Championship can be a season-defining moment—financially and in terms of confidence.
The atmosphere at TPC Boston is electric, with fans packing the galleries and the world’s top women bringing their best to the course. There’s a palpable sense of anticipation as the tournament heads into its final stretch. Sei Young Kim, holding a three-shot advantage at the halfway mark, has set a blistering pace. But with so many elite players in the hunt, anything can happen over the weekend. Nelly Korda, Jeena Thitikul, and Brooke Henderson are all within striking distance, and the drama is just beginning to unfold.
“This is what we play for,” said Brooke Henderson earlier in the week. “Big events, big fields, and a chance to compete against the very best. The FM Championship is quickly becoming one of the highlights of our season.”
Adding to the intrigue, the FM Championship isn’t the only major storyline in golf this week. While the PGA Tour is on hiatus and LIV Golf has just wrapped up its season, senior golf’s Champions Tour is also making headlines. The 2025 Champions Tour has been a showcase of consistency and high drama, with veterans over 50 battling for glory and big paydays of their own. Miguel Angel Jimenez is leading the money list with $2,871,638, thanks to four wins in 18 starts and a red-hot June that saw him pocket over a third of his total earnings. Stewart Cink, Steven Alker, Padraig Harrington, and Angel Cabrera are all stacking up impressive results and sizable checks, keeping the competition fierce among the senior ranks.
“To see the level of play on the Champions Tour this year is just amazing,” said a Champions Tour official. “You’ve got legends like Jimenez, Cink, and Harrington still pushing each other and producing great golf. It’s a reminder that there’s no age limit on excellence in this sport.”
Back at TPC Boston, all eyes remain fixed on the unfolding battle for the FM Championship. The course itself is a character in the story, its rolling fairways and tricky greens demanding precision and nerve. The renovated 12th and 13th holes, in particular, have drawn praise from players for their strategic challenges and classic feel. With the tournament’s reputation growing rapidly, it’s no surprise that the FM Championship is drawing such a world-class field and generating so much buzz among fans and players alike.
For Minjee Lee, the weekend represents more than just another chance at victory. Should she capture the title, she’ll etch her name alongside the likes of Thitikul, Korda, Ko, and Ochoa as one of the LPGA’s $4 million earners in a single season—a testament to her consistency and dominance throughout 2025. But she’s far from the only story. With so much talent packed into one field, the leaderboard is bound to shuffle, and surprises are all but guaranteed as the pressure mounts.
As the FM Championship heads into its closing rounds, the only certainty is that golf fans are in for a treat. The drama, the stakes, and the quality of play are all at their peak, and the outcome remains wide open. Will Sei Young Kim hold on to her lead? Can Nelly Korda or Jeena Thitikul mount a charge? And will Minjee Lee make history with another big payday? Stay tuned—at TPC Boston, the action is just heating up.
Once the final putts drop and the dust settles, the FM Championship will have crowned a deserving champion, and another chapter will be written in the annals of LPGA history. For now, the anticipation continues to build, and the world watches as the best in women’s golf chase glory—and a record purse—on one of the sport’s grandest stages.
