By all accounts, Madelene Sagstrom of Enkoping, Sweden has had the most dominating season in the history of the Epson Tour - 2 wins and 10 top 10’s in just 13 starts. She continues to shatter the single–season earnings record and has a chance next week to wrap up the Epson Player of the Year and Gaelle Truet Rookie of the Year awards with still two events after the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout.
First, here are the particulars. Sagstrom has earned $141,184, which is $48,568 in front of 2nd on the money list (Jackie Stoelting). Following the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout, there will be just two events left and the most that anyone can earn is $45,000 – assuming wins at the IOA Golf Classic ($15,000) and Epson Tour Championship ($30,000).
So, if Sagstrom wins the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout, she wraps up both awards. If she comes in solo second ($9,392) or solo third ($6,837), Stoelting would have to win to keep Sagstrom from wrapping up Epson Player of the Year. Sagstrom could miss the cut and still wrap up both awards if Stoelting, Ally McDonald (No. 3) and Wichanee Meechai (No. 4) don’t have big finishes.
The $48,568 cushion might not seem like a lot at first glance, but consider the difference between first and second since 1999 when the Tour started handing out LPGA cards. As you’ll notice below, Annie Park bested Giulia Molinaro for Player of the Year last year by a measley $41. Yes, the cost of dinner for two at your favorite local restaurant chain.
- 2015: $41 (Annie Park & Giulia Molinaro)
- 2014: $6,205 (Marissa Steen & Min Seo Kwak)
- 2013: $7,435 (P.K Kongkraphan & Giulia Molinaro)
- 2012: $4,782 (Esther Choe & Paolo Moreno)
- 2011: $7,604 (Kathleen Ekey & Lisa Ferrero)
- 2010: $31,203 (Cindy LaCrosse & Jennifer Song)
- 2009: $11,739 (Mina Harigae & Jean Reynolds)
- 2008: $13,837 (Vicky Hurst & Mindy Kim)
- 2007: $5,303 (Emily Bastel & Allison Duncan)
- 2006: $9,936 (Song-Hee Kim & Charlotte Mayorkas)
- 2005: $4,648 (Seon Hwa Lee & Virada Nirapathpongporn)
- 2004: $732 (Jimin Kang & Lindsey Wright)
- 2003: $8,526 (Stacy Prammanasudh & Soo Young Moon)
- 2002: $242 (Lorena Ochoa & Christina Kim)
- 2001: $30,747 (Beth Bauer & Angela Buzminski)
- 2000: $2,229 (Heather Zakhar & Michelle Ellis)
- 1999: $17,247 (Grace Park & Marilyn Lovander)
At this point, it seems only a matter of time that Sagstrom secures both awards. It would mark back-to-back seasons that a rookie wins Epson Player of the Year honors.
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