Neck Spasm Concerns for World No. 3

Lydia Ko is battling through a neck spasm and right arm discomfort just days before the LPGA’s first major championship of 2025. The world No. 3 woke up on Sunday with the issue and has been receiving treatment ahead of Thursday’s Chevron Championship at The Woodlands, Texas.

“It’s better than yesterday, but still doesn’t feel like my normal arm,” Ko told Golfweek after Tuesday’s pro-am. The LPGA Hall of Famer, who turns 28 on the tournament’s opening day, described experiencing a tingling sensation but remained optimistic: “It’s unfortunate timing, but I think by Thursday it will be OK.”

Ko, who won this event in 2016 and claimed victory earlier this season at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore, also noted with humor that she was stung by a bee on her right hand Tuesday, joking she might need a “bionic arm” for the week.

Tournament Details

The Chevron Championship kicks off Thursday at The Club at Carlton Woods with a loaded field including 24 of the top 25 players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Ranking and eight top amateurs. World No. 1 Nelly Korda returns as defending champion after claiming her second major title here last year during her incredible five-tournament win streak.

Ko is scheduled to tee off at 2:21 p.m. ET Thursday alongside Ayaka Furue and Amy Yang. Other notable first-round groupings include Korda playing with Lilia Vu and Patty Tavatanakit at 9:32 a.m., and Lexi Thompson joining Minjee Lee and Ruoning Yin at 2:32 p.m.

The tournament features a $7.9 million purse, with $1.2 million going to the winner. Fans can watch live coverage on Golf Channel, NBC, ESPN+, and Peacock throughout the four-day event.