Changes will be made to the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings in 2026. The announcement comes as the rankings approach their 20th anniversary and will come into effect from the January 5 update.
First, a new tour is added. Results from the Annika Women’s All Pro Tour will be included in the rankings starting at the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority Championship next April. The WAPT marks the 13th round added to the rankings and the first since the Thai LPGA in 2023. The development round will feature 13 events in 2026.
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“I think it’s amazing,” Sorenstam said Golf Week. “I’m happy that they recognized the quality of this tour and what they’re doing, Gary (Deserrano) and the team. As you know, it’s gotten better over the last few years, and we’re very proud to be a part of it. … Good for them, another way for them to have a path to their dreams, really.”
The top two finishers in each WAPT event receive exemptions into the Epson Tour. Additionally, the best on the tour receive byes into LPGA qualifying. Sorenstam announced an official partnership with the tour in 2023.
Other changes coming in 2026 include points for all players who qualify in a ranked event, regardless of field strength.
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Additionally, each field strength will now have its own point distribution, as stated in the release:
Previously, the distribution of points was determined by the range in which the SOF fell. For example, events with a SOF of 141 to 150 shared the same point distribution, while events with a SOF of 151 to 160 shared a different point distribution. From 2026, each SOF (141, 142, 143, etc.) will have its own distribution of points.
The Rolex Ranking was launched in February 2006 with Annika Sorenstam as No. 1. The following tours will be included in 2026:
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Annika Women’s All-Pro Tour (WAPT)
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China Women’s Professional Golf Association (CLPGA) Tour
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Chinese Taipei Women’s Professional Golf Association (TLPGA)
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Japan Women’s Professional Golf Association (JLPGA)
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Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JSU) Intensified Tour
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Korea Women’s Professional Golf Association (KLPGA)
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Korean Women’s Professional Golf Association (KDT) Dream Tour
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Women’s European Tour (LET)
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Women’s European Tour Access Series (LETAS)
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Women’s Professional Golf Association (LPGA)
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Thai Ladies Professional Golf Association (THAILPGA)
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Women’s Professional Golf Association of Australasia (WPGAA) Tour
This article was originally published on Golfweek: Rolex Rankings will add this US-based women’s tour in 2026
