2025 Epson Tour Player of the Year Melanie Green, a Tampa Bay resident and 2024 graduate from the University of South Florida threw out the first pitch at the Tampa Bay Rays game during Media Day last week.
She had a dominate college career. In June 2024, she became the first American in 28 years to win The Women’s Amateur Championship in Ireland.
Green made her professional debut in 2025 on the Epson Tour, winning twice and recording 10 top 10 finishes in 19 starts. She was named the 2025 Epson Tour Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and finished first in the 2025 Epson Tour Race for the Card standings to earn full LPGA Tour membership for the 2026 season. She has recorded two top 10 finishes on the LPGA Tour in her rookie season in 2026.
Growing up, Green’s longtime instructor, Nick Semuta, frequently referenced Sörenstam during lessons—often telling Green, “Annika does it right”. Semuta also modeled Green’s golf swing after Sörenstam. Green competed in Sörenstam’s junior golf events when she was a kid. Green is now ranked 4th in the Rolex Rookie of the Year standings.
“I don’t really think much about the Rolex Rookie of the Year standings. I just play each tournament as it comes and try to do my best.”
Green is known as an elite putter and should do well at the Annika Driven by Gainbridge at The Pelican golf course which is known for fast greens.
She will compete in the Arkansas Championship this week, then on to Hawaii and the Asian swing before returning to play in the Annika Driven by Gainbridge November 9-15.
Melanie is extremely engaging and competitive- an excellent addition to the field at the Annika Driven by Gainbridge.
World No. 1 and three-time champion Nelly Korda headlines early commitments for The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge.
Defending Champion Linn Grant, Major Champions Lydia Ko and Brooke Henderson are also in the field to compete for a share of the $3.25 million purse, one of the largest purses on the LPGA Tour outside of the major championships.
Tournament officials announced that all military personnel (active, reserve, retired and veterans), as well as first responders (fire, police, and emergency medical personnel) and a plus one will receive complimentary access to the championship. For more information, www.TheANNIKA.com/tickets.
Children 17 and under also will be admitted free for the championship with paid adults.
Wake Forest Senior Macy Pate will join the field as a tournament sponsor invitation as a result of Wake Forest capturing the 2026 ANNIKA Intercollegiate presented by 3M. Wake Forest women’s golf coach, Kim Lewellen, selected Pate as the recipient of the sponsor invitation. She finished T5 at 2-under par at the ANNIKA Intercollegiate presented by 3M.
This week, the 2026 Presidents Cup will be the 16th edition of the Presidents Cup golf competition, being held September 24 to 27 at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois, a suburb northwest of downtown Chicago.
Here’s the full Presidents Cup TV schedule for the week:
Thursday, September 24: 12:30-7 p.m. (Golf Channel)
Friday, September 25: 2-7 p.m. (Golf Channel)
Saturday, September 26: 8-9 a.m. (Golf Channel); 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (NBC)
Sunday, September 27: 12-6 p.m. (NBC)
Enjoy your golf.
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