What Is 2015 CME Group Tour Championship

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 CME Group Tour Championship was the season-ending LPGA event held on November 22, 2015, at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Naples, Florida, with American Lexi Thompson winning the $500,000 first prize.

Key Facts

The 2015 CME Group Tour Championship took place from November 17–22, 2015
Lexi Thompson won with a score of 16-under 272
The total purse was $2.5 million, with $500,000 awarded to the winner
It was played at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Naples, Florida
The event concluded the LPGA Tour’s 2015 season

Overview

The 2015 CME Group Tour Championship marked the culmination of the LPGA Tour season, serving as the final event of the Race to the CME Globe. Held at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Naples, Florida, the tournament featured the top 72 players in the CME Points Standings, offering a $2.5 million purse and a dramatic conclusion to the year.

Lexi Thompson emerged victorious with a final score of 16-under 272, securing her first CME Group Tour Championship title. The win not only earned her a $500,000 prize but also solidified her status as one of the LPGA’s rising stars, finishing the season with four tour victories.

Event dates: The tournament was played from Tuesday, November 17, through Sunday, November 22, 2015, with the final round concluding on Thanksgiving weekend.
Location: The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Naples, Florida hosted the event for the third consecutive year, featuring its Tiburon course’s Black Course layout.
Winner:American golfer Lexi Thompson claimed victory by three strokes over South Korea’s Inbee Park and Spain’s Carlota Ciganda.
Winning score: Thompson finished at 16-under 272, shooting a final-round 64 to overcome a two-shot deficit heading into Sunday.
Purse: The tournament offered a record $2.5 million prize fund, with $500,000 awarded to the champion—the largest winner’s share in LPGA history at the time.

How It Works

The CME Group Tour Championship combines a standard 72-hole stroke-play format with a season-long points race, the CME Points List, determining eligibility. Players earn points throughout the year, and only the top 72 qualify for the finale, where performance impacts both prize money and final rankings.

Eligibility: Only the top 72 players on the CME Points List qualified for the 2015 event, ensuring a field of the season’s most consistent performers.
Format: The tournament followed a 72-hole stroke-play format with a cut after 36 holes, though all players competed all four rounds regardless of score.
Prize distribution: The $2.5 million purse was distributed based on finishing position, with first place receiving $500,000 and minimum $15,000 for last.
Scoring system: In addition to prize money, official LPGA Tour rankings and season statistics were finalized based on performance at this event.
Season finale: The event served as the conclusion of the LPGA Tour’s 2015 season, with awards like Player of the Year and Vare Trophy decided prior or during the week.
Sponsorship:CME Group, a global financial derivatives marketplace, has sponsored the event since 2011, increasing its purse and prominence over time.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 2015 CME Group Tour Championship with prior years highlights its growing stature and financial impact on the LPGA Tour.

h>Total Purse

Year	Location	Winner	Winning Score
2013	Naples, FL	Shanshan Feng	14-under 274	$2 million
2014	Naples, FL	Stacy Lewis	13-under 275	$2 million
2015	Naples, FL	Lexi Thompson	16-under 272	$2.5 million
2016	Naples, FL	Ariya Jutanugarn	17-under 271	$2.5 million
2017	Naples, FL	Carly Booth	15-under 273	$2.5 million

The 2015 edition stood out for Lexi Thompson’s aggressive final-round 64 and the increased purse, reflecting the LPGA’s growing financial strength. While the location remained consistent, the competitive depth improved yearly, with more international players contending by 2015.

Why It Matters

The 2015 CME Group Tour Championship was a pivotal moment for the LPGA, showcasing rising talent and the tour’s expanding global reach. Its high stakes and media attention helped elevate women’s golf into mainstream sports conversations.

Historic prize money: The $500,000 first-place prize set a benchmark, encouraging more competitive depth and player investment in the season-long race.
Player development: Lexi Thompson’s win highlighted the emergence of young American talent on the global stage, inspiring future generations.
Global competition: With contenders from South Korea, Spain, and Thailand, the event underscored the LPGA’s international appeal.
Media exposure: Broadcast by Golf Channel and streamed globally, the tournament reached millions of viewers during the Thanksgiving weekend.
Season-long narrative: The event concluded the 2015 Race to the CME Globe, adding drama and continuity to the LPGA season.
Sponsor impact: CME Group’s continued investment demonstrated corporate confidence in women’s sports, setting a model for other leagues.

The 2015 championship not only crowned a deserving champion but also signaled a new era of competitiveness, visibility, and financial growth for the LPGA Tour.