Women\u2019s major season has finally concluded, and after a hectic summer, it\u2019s time for players to step into the professor’s office and receive their 2026 major grades. The grading scale isn’t universal; there\u2019s a higher standard for top players, and young, emerging stars are going to get some questions wrong. Let’s get into it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nelly Korda: A-<\/p>\n
You might think multiple major wins, two (albeit non-competitive) top 10s, and $4.89 million in earnings would be A+ territory, but we’re talking about the world No. 1 here. Nelly had the chance to become the first player to win the first three majors in a season since Inbee Park in 2013, but her irreverence for and a missed cut at the Evian knock her grade down a mark or two. It was quite the bounce-back year from 2025 for Nelly, and I hope her form continues into 2027.<\/p>\n
Haeran Ryu: A+<\/p>\n
The 25-year-old South Korean went from barely outside the top 10 in the world to start the season to now solidly No. 3 and on Jeeno Thitikul\u2019s heels for No. 2. Haeran melded her prolific ball-striking with a functional putter to win consecutive majors, and a nearly took down a third at the AIG Women\u2019s Open, all after a mysterious back surgery forced her to skip the U.S. Women\u2019s Open. That\u2019s A+ territory for me! I\u2019ve always loved Haeran\u2019s tempo and swing, and after seeing her finally put it all together at the big events, I am bullish on her winning more majors, and soon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shiho Kuwaki: A<\/p>\n
Casual women\u2019s golf fans might’ve been surprised by Shiho Kuwaki\u2019s recent win at the AIG Women\u2019s Open, but JLPGA fans weren’t taken aback at all. Kuwaki, 23, has won twice on JLPGA this year and made the cut in the four majors she was qualified for, including a T-14 at the U.S. Women\u2019s Open and a T-24 at the Women\u2019s PGA. It was a great major season for an eccentric, fresh face we will likely see on the LPGA next season.<\/p>\n
Jeeno Thitikul: F<\/p>\n
Jeeno is taking a pass\/fail class at this point. We know she has world-class talent, and she executes that skill set well in regular LPGA events, but when it comes to the majors, she wasn\u2019t even close this season. Yes, she led the AIG Women\u2019s Open after the first round, but was nowhere to be found come Sunday’s final round. It\u2019s time to hold Jeeno to the higher standard of golf we see from her week-to-week on tour. If she wants to pass this class, she needs to win a major, because at this point in her career, top 10s aren\u2019t going to cut it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Charley Hull: B<\/p>\n
Speaking of pass\/fail, Charley is getting close to joining Jeeno, but I give her a B just for the U.S. Women\u2019s Open final round run alone. Hull ultimately came up a shot short, but the fan-favorite played a huge part in the best final round we saw all year in a major championship. Looking to next year, if Charley\u2019s not able to get off to stable starts and contend, she might be the LPGA\u2019s Rickie Fowler.<\/p>\n
Minjee Lee: F<\/p>\n
Three straight missed cuts to finish major season have left us wondering what has gone wrong with Minjee Lee this season after she picked up a win at last year\u2019s Women\u2019s PGA and didn\u2019t finish worse than T-22 in the other four majors. Minjee has always been that constant contender in the big events, so to see her struggle this mightily is a head-scratcher. She needs to hit the books a little harder for next season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Lottie Woad: C<\/p>\n
A second-year LPGA pro with two top tens in majors and only one missed cut would normally make my ears perk up, but Lottie Woad isn\u2019t your average LPGA sophomore. She won in her first start as a pro and nearly claimed the Evian last year, so I had some high expectations for the 2026 majors. The 22-year-old was in contention at AIG Women\u2019s Open but was absent from the party the rest of the season. Bare minimum stuff from the rising English star.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Brooke Henderson: B+<\/p>\n