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Morgan Pressel
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Morgan Pressel (born May 23, 1988) is an American professional golfer and golf commentator who played on the LPGA Tour. In 2001, as a 12-year-old, she became the youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open. She was the 2005 American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Player of the Year, and won the 2006 AJGA Nancy Lopez Award. She turned pro at age 17, and is the youngest-ever winner of a modern LPGA major championship, when at age 18 she won the 2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship (now known as the Chevron Championship) and vaulted to a career-high fourth in the world rankings.[1] In early March 2021, she announced she had joined the Golf Channel and NBC Sports to be an analyst and on-course reporter in the 2021 season, while continuing to compete.[2]
Key Information
Childhood and family life
[edit]Born in Tampa, Florida, to Mike Pressel and Kathy Krickstein Pressel, she attended Banyan Creek Elementary School, Omni Middle School, and graduated in 2006 from the Saint Andrew's School in Boca Raton, a private school affiliated with the Episcopal Church.[3] She has stated that her Jewish faith plays a large role in her life.[4][citation needed]
Following her mother's death from breast cancer in September 2003, 15-year-old Pressel moved in with her maternal grandparents, Evelyn and Herb Krickstein, at St. Andrews Country Club in Boca Raton, Florida. Her two younger siblings stayed with their father. Her grandfather, a retired physician and pathologist, is also her coach. The Kricksteins' son and Pressel's uncle is former professional tennis player Aaron Krickstein.[5]
Pressel's younger sister Madison played collegiate golf for the University of Texas[6] and won on the Symetra Tour in 2014.
In January 2013, Pressel married Andy Bush, a senior vice president at Octagon Global Events. The two met at a pro-am event in 2007.[7][8]
Amateur career
[edit]In 2001, as a 12-year-old, she became the youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open. This record stood until 2007, when Lexi Thompson beat the record by several months.
At the age of 17, she was one of three co-leaders starting the final round of the 2005 U.S. Women's Open at Cherry Hills in suburban Denver. Pressel was tied for first on the 18th fairway when Birdie Kim holed out from the bunker just ahead to secure a one-stroke lead. Pressel then needed a birdie to tie, but made a bogey on the 18th to lose by two strokes. Her second-place finish gave her a share of the low amateur honors with Brittany Lang. Pressel played in a total of seven LPGA events in 2005 and made the cut in all of them, with a scoring average of 70.96 in 28 rounds.[9]
In 2005, Pressel lost to Yani Tseng at 39th hole during the North and South Women's Amateur at Pinehurst, but won the most important amateur event, the U.S. Women's Amateur. Pressel also finished her amateur career as 2005 Girls Rolex Junior Player of the Year.
During her amateur career, she won 10 AJGA titles, including all five AJGA Invitationals: the "AJGA Slam".[10]
- 2002 round of 16, U.S. Girls' Junior
- 2002 Junior Solheim Cup Team
- 2004 quarterfinalist, U.S. Women's Amateur
- 2004 quarterfinalist, round of 16, U.S. Girls' Junior
- 2004 Won – North and South Women's Amateur
- 2005 Won – U.S. Women's Amateur
- 2005 2nd place – North and South Amateur
- 2005 Girls Rolex Junior Player of the Year
- 2005 round of 16, U.S. Girls' Junior
- 2005 Junior Solheim Cup Team
Professional career
[edit]
Pressel finished sixth in the first stage of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament in September 2005 and advanced to the final stage in December.[11] She turned professional in November, after appealing to the LPGA to become a member as a 17-year-old. LPGA rules state that members must be 18 years old.[3] At the five-round Final Qualifying Tournament in Daytona Beach, she finished tied for sixth to earn her tour card for 2006.[12] She played part-time on the tour until her high school graduation in May 2006.
Pressel earned her first victory in 2007 at the Kraft Nabisco Championship and became the youngest-ever winner of a modern LPGA major at 18 years, 313 days,[13] a record that would stand until Lydia Ko won the 2015 Evian Championship at the age of 18 years, 4 months and 20 days. On her flight home to Florida after her win, Pressel had her golf clubs stolen.[14] The win moved her from 17th in the world rankings to fourth.[1]
Pressel made her first hole-in-one as a professional golfer on July 15, 2007, at the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio. It was a 148-yard (135 m) par 3 – hole 6 for the tournament. It was not enough to win, though; Se Ri Pak won the event for the fifth time.[15]

Pressel qualified for the 2007, 2009 and 2011 Solheim Cup teams; earning a spot on the 2007 team in her second full-year on the LPGA Tour as a 19-year-old. Through 2011, she was undefeated (3–0–0) in Solheim Cup singles play.
In the 2012 Sybase Match Play Championship, Pressel was in contention for her third LPGA Tour victory in the semi-finals when she was 2 up after 11 holes to opponent Azahara Muñoz. Pressel won the 12th hole but a slow play penalty resulted in the loss of the hole instead. She would lose the match and Muñoz went on to win the tournament.[16]
On April 26, 2015, Pressel came in second at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic in San Francisco. She and Lydia Ko finished at 8-under-par 280 with Ko making a birdie on the par-5 closing hole while Pressel missed a birdie effort to end the tournament. Ko won on the second playoff hole. Pressel's last victory was in 2008 at the Kapalua LPGA Classic.[17]
She is represented by Wasserman Media Group and has endorsement deals with Callaway Golf, Polo Ralph Lauren, Royal Bank of Canada, and Audemars Piguet.
Professional wins (4)
[edit]
LPGA Tour wins (2)
[edit]| Legend |
|---|
| Major championships (1) |
| Other LPGA Tour (1) |
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | To par | Margin of victory |
Runner(s)-up | Winner's share ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apr 1, 2007 | Kraft Nabisco Championship | 74-72-70-69=285 | −3 | 1 stroke | 300,000 | |
| 2 | Oct 19, 2008 | Kapalua LPGA Classic | 72-72-67-69=280 | −8 | 1 stroke | 225,000 |
LPGA Tour playoff record (0–2)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009 | Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic | Lost to birdie on first extra hole | |
| 2 | 2015 | Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic | Lost to birdie on second extra hole |
LPGA of Japan Tour wins (1)
[edit]Other wins (1)
[edit]- 2012 (1) CVS Caremark Charity Classic (with Jay Haas), unofficial event
Major championships
[edit]Wins (1)
[edit]| No. | Year | Championship | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2007 | Kraft Nabisco Championship | −3 (74-72-70-69=285) | 1 stroke |
Results timeline
[edit]Results not in chronological order before 2019.
| Tournament | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANA Inspiration | T19 | T13 | 1 | T38 | T40 | T19 | ||||
| U.S. Women's Open | CUT | 52 | T2TLA | T28 | T10 | T17 | T13 | T34 | ||
| Women's PGA Championship | 69 | 14 | T6 | CUT | T7 | |||||
| Women's British Open | T56 | CUT | CUT | T42 | 8 |
| Tournament | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANA Inspiration | T3 | T46 | T52 | T11 | 3 | CUT | T42 | T72 | T44 | CUT |
| U.S. Women's Open | T21 | WD | T20 | CUT | T5 | 71 | CUT | T50 | CUT | |
| Women's PGA Championship | 2 | T45 | T3 | CUT | T5 | CUT | CUT | CUT | CUT | CUT |
| The Evian Championship ^ | T31 | T41 | T11 | CUT | T18 | T26 | CUT | NT | ||
| Women's British Open | T49 | T43 | T4 | T21 | CUT | CUT | T49 | 4 | T59 | |
| Tournament | 2021 |
|---|---|
| ANA Inspiration | CUT |
| U.S. Women's Open | |
| Women's PGA Championship | |
| The Evian Championship ^ | |
| Women's British Open |
^ The Evian Championship was added as a major in 2013
LA = low amateur
CUT = missed the half-way cut
WD = withdrew
NT = no tournament
T = tied
Summary
[edit]| Tournament | Wins | 2nd | 3rd | Top-5 | Top-10 | Top-25 | Events | Cuts made |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANA Inspiration | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 17 | 14 |
| U.S. Women's Open | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 17 | 12 |
| Women's PGA Championship | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 8 |
| The Evian Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Women's British Open | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 14 | 10 |
| Totals | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 14 | 26 | 70 | 49 |
- Most consecutive cuts made – 12 (2009 U.S. Open – 2012 LPGA)
- Longest streak of top-10s – 3 (2015 ANA – 2015 U.S. Open)
LPGA Tour career summary
[edit]| Year | Tournaments played |
Cuts made* |
Wins | 2nd | 3rd | Top 10s | Best finish |
Earnings ($) |
Money list rank |
Scoring average |
Scoring rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | CUT | n/a | 77.00 | ||
| 2003 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 76.00 | |||
| 2005 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | T2 | 70.96 | |||
| 2006 | 23 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 465,685 | 24 | 71.51 | 20 |
| 2007 | 25 | 23 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 972,452 | 9 | 71.34 | 6 |
| 2008 | 26 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 711,261 | 24 | 72.04 | 42 |
| 2009 | 24 | 21 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 630,313 | 22 | 71.38 | 29 |
| 2010 | 23 | 22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | T2 | 767,455 | 13 | 71.05 | 11 |
| 2011 | 22 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 845,466 | 13 | 71.34 | 14 |
| 2012 | 23 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 271,548 | 45 | 73.65 | 98 |
| 2013 | 24 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | T3 | 504,188 | 28 | 71.70 | 33 |
| 2014 | 29 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 508,534 | 35 | 71.31 | 22 |
| 2015 | 27 | 22 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 962,794 | 11 | 71.42 | 30 |
| 2016 | 24 | 18 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | T2 | 386,672 | 48 | 72.21 | 77 |
| 2017 | 26 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T15 | 195,000 | 78 | 72.32 | 113 |
| 2018 | 21 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | T7 | 137,346 | 90 | 71.92 | 75 |
| 2019 | 26 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | T3 | 610,872 | 36 | 71.37 | 57 |
| 2020 | 15 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T15 | 77,513 | 93 | 72.96 | 104 |
| 2021 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | T8 | 49,271 | 136 | 72.00 | n/a |
| Totals^ | 361 | 292 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 66^ | 1 | 8,096,370 | 35 |
^ Official through 2021 season.[18][19][20]
*Includes matchplay and other tournaments without a cut.
World ranking
[edit]Position in Women's World Golf Rankings at the end of each calendar year.
| Year | World ranking |
Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 25 | [21] |
| 2007 | 12 | [22] |
| 2008 | 19 | [23] |
| 2009 | 23 | [24] |
| 2010 | 17 | [25] |
| 2011 | 16 | [26] |
| 2012 | 38 | [27] |
| 2013 | 47 | [28] |
| 2014 | 52 | [29] |
| 2015 | 24 | [30] |
| 2016 | 55 | [31] |
| 2017 | 127 | [32] |
| 2018 | 180 | [33] |
| 2019 | 53 | [34] |
| 2020 | 90 | [35] |
| 2021 | 179 | [36] |
Pressel's career-high in the world rankings is fourth, in the spring of 2007.[1]
Team appearances
[edit]Amateur
- Junior Solheim Cup (representing the United States): 2002 (winners), 2005 (winners)
Professional
- Solheim Cup (representing the United States): 2007 (winners), 2009 (winners), 2011, 2013, 2015 (winners), 2019
- Lexus Cup (representing International team): 2006, 2007
Solheim Cup record
[edit]| Year | Total matches |
Total W–L–H |
Singles W–L–H |
Foursomes W–L–H |
Fourballs W–L–H |
Points won |
Points % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 22 | 11–8–3 | 4–2–0 | 5–3–1 | 2–3–2 | 12.5 | 56.8 |
| 2007 | 4 | 1–2–1 | 1–0–0 def. A. Sörenstam 2&1 | 0–1–0 lost w/ N. Gulbis 3&2 | 0–1–1 halved w/ P. Creamer, lost w/ C. Kerr 3&2 |
1.5 | 37.5 |
| 2009 | 3 | 2–0–1 | 1–0–0 def. A. Nordqvist 3&2 | 1–0–0 won w/ K. McPherson 2 up | 0–0–1 halved w/ M. Wie | 2.5 | 83.3 |
| 2011 | 4 | 4–0–0 | 1–0–0 def. A. Nordqvist 2&1 | 1–0–0 won w/ R. O'Toole 3&2 | 2–0–0 won w/ P. Creamer 1 up, won w/ C. Kerr 1 up |
4.0 | 100. |
| 2013 | 4 | 1–3–0 | 0–1–0 lost to C. Ciganda 4&2 | 1–1–0 won w/ J. Korda 3&2, lost w/ J. Korda 2&1 |
0–1–0 lost w/ C. Kerr 2 dn | 1.0 | 25.0 |
| 2015 | 4 | 2–2–0 | 1–0–0 def. C. Matthew 2 up | 1–1–0 won w/ P. Creamer 3&2, lost w/ P. Creamer 1 dn |
0–1–0 lost w/ P. Creamer 4&3 | 2.0 | 50.0 |
| 2019 | 3 | 1–1–1 | 0–1–0 lost to A. Nordqvist 4&3 | 1–0–1 halved w/ M. Alex won w/ M. Alex 2&1 |
1.5 | 50.0 |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Women's World Golf Rankings". April 5, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
- ^ Nichols, Beth Ann (March 3, 2021). "Morgan Pressel joins Golf Channel, NBC Sports broadcast team but isn't leaving LPGA". Golfweek. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- ^ a b Rosaforte, Tim (February 13, 2006). "Pressel continues her education". ESPN. Retrieved October 21, 2008.
- ^ Pessah, Jon (March 16, 2007). "They Punch, Putt, Dribble, Tackle and Skate And They're ll Jewish". Baltimore Jewish Times. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
- ^ Minor, Emily (August 14, 2005). "Her mother's daughter". Palm Beach Post. Archived from the original on December 23, 2006. Retrieved April 2, 2007.
- ^ "Women's golf, Madison Pressel". TexasSports.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2012. Retrieved May 19, 2012.
- ^ "Wedding keeps Pressel busy during injury-riddled season". Golfweek. October 4, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
- ^ "Andy Bush Bio". Octagon Sports. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
- ^ "Morgan Pressel – 2005 season results". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
- ^ "Morgan Pressel Named Girls Rolex Junior Player of the Year". American Junior Golf Association. October 26, 2005. Retrieved April 2, 2007.
- ^ "2005 Sectional Qualifying Tournament – results". LPGA. September 23, 2005.
- ^ "2005 Final Qualifying Tournament – results". LPGA. December 4, 2005.
- ^ "LPGA All-Time Scoring Records" (PDF). LPGA. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 2, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2008.
- ^ "Pressel learns to deal with LPGA success". Oxford Press. Cox News Services. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
- ^ Junga, Steve (July 16, 2007). "Pak trumps Pressel's ace to capture her fifth title in 10 years". Toledo Blade. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
- ^ Morgan Pressel's semifinal slow-play penalty provides boost for Azahara Munoz to win Sybase Match Play Championship
- ^ Ferguson, Doug (April 26, 2015). "Ko beats Pressel in playoff to defend in San Fran". Golf Channel.
- ^ "Morgan Pressel stats". LPGA. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- ^ "Morgan Pressel results". LPGA. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- ^ "Career Money". LPGA. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 26, 2006.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 25, 2007.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 30, 2008.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 29, 2009.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 28, 2010.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 27, 2011.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 31, 2012.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 30, 2013.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 29, 2014.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 28, 2015.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 26, 2016.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 25, 2017.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 31, 2018.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 30, 2019.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 28, 2020.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 27, 2021.
External links
[edit]- Morgan Pressel at the LPGA Tour official site
- Morgan Pressel at the Women's World Golf Rankings official site
- Morgan's Yahoo Group
- Newslib.com feed of articles about Morgan Pressel
- MorganPressel.org
- Swing Sequence
- South Florida Sun-Sentinel – photo gallery: Morgan Pressel through the years
- Morgan P Foundation on Twitter
Morgan Pressel
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Childhood
Morgan Pressel was born on May 23, 1988, in Tampa, Florida. At the age of eight, her family relocated to Boca Raton, where she settled into the St. Andrews Country Club community and began her golf journey in earnest.[7][8] Pressel's introduction to golf came through her maternal grandfather, Herb Krickstein, who played a pivotal role in sparking her interest in the sport. She started playing regularly at age eight, training at local clubs like St. Andrews Country Club and soon participating in youth tournaments that marked her initial forays into competitive play. Her family provided strong support for her developing passion, encouraging her dedication to the game during these formative years.[2][9][10] In 1999, when Pressel was 11 years old, her mother, Kathryn Krickstein Pressel, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 39, profoundly affecting the family dynamics as they navigated the illness together. Kathryn battled the disease for four years before passing away on September 5, 2003, at age 43, leaving 15-year-old Pressel to cope with the loss by moving in with her maternal grandparents, Evelyn and Herb Krickstein, in Boca Raton. This tragedy reshaped the family's structure, with Pressel's siblings remaining with their father, and it deeply motivated Pressel, channeling her grief into a heightened commitment to golf as a source of resilience and purpose.[11][12][13]Family background
Morgan Pressel was born on May 23, 1988, in Tampa, Florida, to Mike Pressel, a lawyer, and Kathy Krickstein Pressel, a former Big Ten tennis champion at the University of Michigan who worked as a tennis teaching pro.[14][15][16] Her parents, both raised in suburban Detroit, met on a blind date and relocated the family to South Florida to support Morgan's emerging golf talent.[14] Pressel has two younger siblings: sister Madison, three years her junior, and brother Mitchell, five years younger, both of whom also took up golf during their youth.[12][16] Madison Pressel played collegiate golf for the University of Texas and later won on the Symetra Tour in 2014.[17] Her maternal grandfather, Herb Krickstein, a retired physician and avid golfer, introduced Pressel to the sport at age eight and served as her primary coach, profoundly shaping her technical skills and competitive mindset.[2][14] Pressel's uncle, Aaron Krickstein, is a former professional tennis player, reflecting the family's athletic heritage.[18] Kathy Pressel was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999 when Morgan was 11; the disease returned as stage IV, and she died on September 5, 2003, at age 43.[12][16] In the wake of this loss, 15-year-old Pressel moved in with her maternal grandparents, Herb and Evelyn Krickstein, in Boca Raton, Florida, while her father raised Madison and Mitchell nearby; this structure offered stability and close guidance as she pursued her amateur and professional golf career.[16][14] The family's collective coping emphasized perseverance, fostering Pressel's resilience amid personal tragedy.[12]Amateur career
Junior accomplishments
Morgan Pressel quickly established herself as a standout junior golfer in the United States, achieving remarkable feats in national and regional competitions before reaching age 18.[2] At age 12, she became the youngest player ever to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open, earning her spot in 2001 with a 2-under-par 70 during sectional qualifying in North Palm Beach.[19] She competed in the championship at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, posting rounds of 77 and 77 for a total of 154, missing the cut but marking the youngest debut in an LPGA major at the time.[20] Pressel dominated the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) circuit, securing 11 victories, including all five invitational events for which she was eligible, such as the 2005 Rolex Girls Junior Championship and the 2005 Thunderbird International Junior.[2] Her exceptional performance earned her the 2005 Rolex Junior Player of the Year award, recognizing her as the top female junior in the nation.[21] She also received Rolex Junior All-America honors five times, from 2001 to 2005.[2][22][23] In 2004, Pressel captured the Florida State High School Girls' Championship as part of St. Andrew's School, contributing to her three consecutive state titles from 2003 to 2005, along with other regional successes that solidified her prodigy status.[2] Her early passion for golf was nurtured by family encouragement, particularly from her grandfather, who introduced her to the sport at age 8.[2]International amateur successes
In 2005, at age 17, Morgan Pressel achieved significant success in elite amateur competitions, culminating in her victory at the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship held at Ansley Golf Club in Roswell, Georgia. She defeated Maru Martinez of Venezuela 9-and-8 in the 36-hole final, marking the largest margin of victory in the event's history at that time and securing her status as one of the top young amateurs globally.[24] This win highlighted her dominance in match-play formats against international competition, including earlier victories over players like Jane Rah of South Korea in the round of 16.[24][25] Earlier that year, Pressel finished as runner-up at the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina, where she was defeated by Ya-Ni Tseng of Taiwan on the 39th hole in the final after advancing as co-medalist.[26] Her performance in these USGA events underscored her competitive edge against a diverse field of international amateurs, building on her earlier junior foundation. Additionally, she tied for second place at the U.S. Women's Open at Cherry Hills Country Club in Colorado, becoming the youngest player to contend seriously for the title as an amateur, finishing two strokes behind winner Birdie Kim alongside fellow amateur Brittany Lang.[27] Pressel's standout season earned her the 2005 Girls Rolex Junior Player of the Year award from the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), recognizing her as the top performer after winning all five AJGA Invitational events she entered, including the international-field Thunderbird International Junior in Arizona.[21] She also held the No. 1 position in the AJGA Polo Golf Rankings and was ranked as the top girls junior and women's amateur by Golfweek magazine for much of the year, affirming her preeminence among global young talents.[2]Professional golf career
Turning professional
At the peak of her amateur career, including a victory at the 2005 U.S. Women's Amateur, 17-year-old Morgan Pressel decided to turn professional in November 2005, forgoing college eligibility to pursue a full-time career on the LPGA Tour.[2][8] This move required special permission from LPGA Commissioner Ty Votaw, as league rules mandated members be at least 18 years old; Pressel successfully appealed the age minimum to accept endorsement income and compete as a professional.[8] Immediately following her transition to professional status, Pressel secured a multi-year endorsement deal with Callaway Golf, agreeing to use and promote the company's equipment.[28] The agreement, signed just days after her 17th birthday in late May but announced in December, marked one of her first major sponsorships as a pro and provided financial stability ahead of her LPGA debut.[29] In late 2005, after competing in several LPGA events as an amateur—where she made the cut in all seven starts and posted finishes no worse than 25th, including a T5 at the State Farm Classic and T10 at the Michelob Light Open at Las Vegas—Pressel fully embraced her pro status.[2] She prepared for the 2006 rookie season by participating in the LPGA Qualifying Tournament (Q-Series), where she tied for sixth to earn full exempt status for the upcoming year.[30] This performance positioned her strongly for a competitive entry into the professional circuit.Early LPGA years and major victory
Pressel turned professional in late 2005 and earned her full LPGA Tour card for 2006 after tying for sixth at the LPGA Qualifying Tournament. In her rookie season, she competed in 24 events, making 18 cuts, and recorded four top-10 finishes, including a tie for second at the Sybase Classic where she finished one stroke behind winner Lorena Ochoa.[2] She earned $504,188 in prize money, placing 28th on the official money list, and finished third in the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year voting.[2] The following year, Pressel achieved a breakthrough by winning the Kraft Nabisco Championship on April 1, 2007, at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California. At 18 years, 10 months, and 9 days old, she became the youngest winner of an LPGA major championship in the modern era, surpassing the previous record held by Patty Berg in 1937.[2] Pressel closed with a bogey-free 3-under-par 69, birdieing the 18th hole from 10 feet to finish at 3-under 285, one stroke ahead of Brittany Lincicome, Catriona Matthew, and Suzann Pettersen after the latter two faltered on the back nine.[31] This victory marked her first LPGA Tour win and earned her the traditional champion's leap into the 18th green's pond. Following her major triumph, Pressel continued her strong form in 2007 with five additional top-10 finishes, including a career-low 64 in the third round and a hole-in-one in the final round of the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic. She rose to a career-high No. 4 in the Women's World Golf Rankings immediately after the Kraft Nabisco win.[32] During this peak period, Pressel's game was characterized by precise iron play that set up numerous birdie opportunities and reliable putting, which proved crucial in her major success and consistent contention.Mid-career achievements and challenges
Following her breakthrough major victory in 2007, Pressel continued her strong play into 2008, securing her second LPGA Tour win at the Kapalua LPGA Classic with a final-round 69 to edge out Suzann Pettersen by one stroke.[33] She also posted five top-10 finishes that year, including a T2 at the Sybase Classic and a T6 at the McDonald's LPGA Championship, helping her surpass $2 million in career earnings.[2] From 2009 to 2011, Pressel maintained consistent contention with multiple top-10 results each season, highlighted by seven such finishes in 2011 alone, including a runner-up at the Wegmans LPGA Championship where she crossed $4 million in earnings.[2] However, her form dipped in 2012 amid persistent injuries, with her best result a T3 at the Sybase Match Play Championship; she battled right thumb and wrist tendinitis, which forced her withdrawal from the U.S. Women's Open after an opening 10-over 82 and limited her overall performance.[2][34] These issues contributed to a challenging period, as Pressel later described them as her "worst years" on tour, marked by inconsistent results and ranking fluctuations outside the top 20.[35] Pressel staged a resurgence from 2013 to 2015, rebuilding her game through focused preparation around majors and swing adjustments. In 2013, she notched a T3 at the Wegmans LPGA Championship, crossing $5 million in career earnings, while 2014 brought four top-10s, including three T4 finishes.[2] Her momentum peaked in 2015 with top-5 results in the first three majors—solo third at the ANA Inspiration after leading following the opening round—and a career-low 63 at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, earning $962,794 to finish 11th on the money list.[2][35][36]Later years and retirement
In the later years of her professional career, from 2016 to 2020, Pressel competed consistently on the LPGA Tour, participating in 24 to 26 events annually in 2016–2019 and achieving multiple top-25 finishes each season, though she recorded no victories during this period. Her standout major performance came earlier with a tie for fifth at the 2015 KPMG Women's PGA Championship, but she remained competitive, posting six top-10 finishes in 2019—including a tie for third at the HUGEL-AIR PREMIA LA Open—and earning selection to her sixth U.S. Solheim Cup team that year, where she compiled an 11-8-3 career record in the event. Earnings during these years reflected steady play, with $610,872 in 2019 alone, crossing the $8 million career threshold by 2020.[2] By 2021, Pressel scaled back dramatically to just four LPGA events amid her growing commitments to broadcasting for Golf Channel and NBC Sports, making the cut in two and securing a season-best tie for eighth at the HUGEL-AIR PREMIA LA Open. This limited schedule marked a shift as she balanced competitive golf with media roles, influenced in part by lingering effects from mid-career injuries.[2] Pressel did not enter any LPGA events in 2022 or 2023, prioritizing her broadcasting career and other golf-related endeavors. She retired from competitive play after 16 seasons on the LPGA Tour, with her final start at the 2021 HUGEL-AIR PREMIA LA Open; by 2024, she was fully established as a lead analyst for NBC Sports' LPGA coverage.[37]Professional wins
LPGA Tour wins
Pressel's first LPGA Tour victory came at the 2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship, a 72-hole stroke-play event held March 29–April 1 at Mission Hills Country Club's Dinah Shore Tournament Course in Rancho Mirage, California, which featured a $2 million purse. She carded rounds of 74-72-70-69 to finish at 3-under-par 285, securing a one-stroke win over Catriona Matthew. At 18 years, 10 months, and 9 days old, Pressel set a record as the youngest winner of a modern LPGA major championship. This breakthrough performance earned her Rolex First-Time Winner status and played a key role in her third-place finish in the 2007 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year standings.[2][8][38] Her second LPGA Tour win occurred at the inaugural Kapalua LPGA Classic, contested October 16–19 on the par-72 Bay Course at Kapalua Resort in Lahaina, Hawaii, with a $1.5 million purse. Pressel shot a final-round 3-under-par 69 to reach 8-under-par 280 overall, prevailing by one stroke against Suzann Pettersen. The victory pushed her career earnings beyond $2 million and highlighted her growing prowess as a 20-year-old professional.[2][33][39]Other wins
Pressel's non-LPGA professional success included a victory on the LPGA of Japan Tour at the 2010 World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup, held May 7–9 at Ibaraki Golf Club in Tsukubamirai, Japan. Finishing at 9-under par 207, she claimed the title—considered the first major of the JLPGA season—and earned her first international win as a professional, boosting her to No. 7 in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings.[40][2] In team competition, Pressel won the 2012 CVS Caremark Charity Classic on June 18–19 at Rhode Island Country Club in Barrington, Rhode Island. Paired with Champions Tour player Jay Haas in the mixed-format event, they finished at 21-under par 119, securing the victory by two strokes after a final-round scramble that included birdies on 10 of the first 11 holes and an eagle on the par-5 12th.[41][42]Major championships
Wins
Morgan Pressel secured her sole major championship victory at the 2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship—now known as the Chevron Championship—the first major of the LPGA Tour season, held at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California.[2] On April 1, 2007, the 18-year-old Pressel carded a final-round 3-under-par 69, playing bogey-free over her last 24 holes, to finish at 3-under 285 and claim a one-stroke margin over runners-up Brittany Lincicome and Catriona Matthew.[43][44] This triumph marked Pressel as the youngest winner of a modern LPGA major championship at 18 years, 10 months, and 9 days old, eclipsing the previous record set by Sandra Post in 1968.[45] The achievement was especially poignant for Pressel, who had lost her mother, Kathy Krickstein Pressel, to breast cancer in 2003 at age 44, and she dedicated the win to her family during an emotional post-round interview.[18][12] Following her birdie on the 18th hole to seal the victory, Pressel celebrated by jumping into the traditional champion's pond at the par-5 18th, a moment that underscored the historic and personal significance of her breakthrough professional success.[46]Results timeline
| Year | Chevron Championship | Women's PGA Championship | U.S. Women's Open | The Evian Championship | AIG Women's British Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | T19a | DNP | a-2 | DNP | DNP |
| 2006 | CUT | T9 | T23 | DNP | CUT |
| 2007 | 1 | CUT | T23 | DNP | T5 |
| 2008 | T2 | T17 | CUT | DNP | 2 |
| 2009 | T12 | CUT | T10 | DNP | T9 |
| 2010 | T5 | T14 | T5 | DNP | T7 |
| 2011 | T28 | CUT | CUT | DNP | T11 |
| 2012 | T25 | T5 | T23 | DNP | CUT |
| 2013 | T17 | T3 | T12 | T5 | T19 |
| 2014 | T18 | T5 | CUT | T18 | CUT |
| 2015 | T4 | T2 | T5 | T13 | T7 |
| 2016 | T10 | CUT | T10 | CUT | T14 |
| 2017 | T25 | T21 | T10 | CUT | CUT |
| 2018 | CUT | T25 | CUT | DNP | T26 |
| 2019 | CUT | T5 | T33 | T9 | CUT |
| 2020 | CUT | CUT | CUT | DNP | DNP |
| 2021 | CUT | CUT | CUT | DNP | CUT |
| 2022 | DNP | DNP | CUT | DNP | DNP |
| 2023 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| 2024 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| 2025 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |