Two years ago, KPMG launched an analytics platform to help narrow the information divide between the men’s and women’s games. The program, similar to what’s offered on the DP World Tour, relies on caddies to gather information and turn in a special card after each round. KPMG pays the caddies a small stipend.
It’s an evolving system that gets more useful over time as data accumulates.
Scorecard numbers can only tell so much of the story, and as the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship kicks off this week at historic Baltusrol for the first time, we take a closer look at the Performance Insights numbers of five players to keep an eye on in New Jersey.
From the current No. 1 to a past champion and last week’s champion, here’s what the numbers tell us about these noteworthy stars:
CLIFTON, NEW JERSEY – MAY 14: Jin Young Ko of South Korea imitates a selfie as she poses with the winners trophy after a playoff win against Minjee Lee of Australia during the final round of the Cognizant Founders Cup at Upper Montclair Country Club on May 14, 2023, in Clifton, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
A two-time winner this season, Jin Young Ko heads into the second major of the season full throttle. It wasn’t long ago that Ko couldn’t practice at all after rounds due to a prolonged wrist injury. Now she’s back to working round-the-clock when her coach comes to town.
As a result, Ko’s tee-to-green numbers once look like those of a World No. 1.
Ko ranked 40th in greens in regulation last season and is now second. She also ranks second in strokes gained approach per round. It adds up to the most strokes gained total per round on the LPGA in 2023.
JOHNS CREEK, GEORGIA – JUNE 27: Nelly Korda poses with the trophy after putting in to win on the 18th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club on June 27, 2021, in Johns Creek, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Nelly Korda, the 2021 KPMG champion, will make her first start in a month at Baltusrol. Korda withdrew from the Mizuho Americas Open last month to address soreness in her back.
It was at the 2020 KPMG that Korda first injured her back, withdrawing after the first round.
While Korda hasn’t won this season, she’s notched six top-six finishes in 2023. In fact, she’s one of only two players ranked in the top 20 this season in both strokes gained off-the-tee (third) and strokes…
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