Sunshine, strategy, and star power return to Belleair as The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican 2025 tees off — where the world’s best chase momentum, pride, and one last statement before the season finale.
Published Nov 10, 2025 · Updated Nov 10, 2025
The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican 2025 — Preview, Key Storylines & How to Watch
The LPGA returns to Pelican Golf Club for The ANNIKA (Nov 13–16, 2025). This late-season stop carries big prize-money stakes and headline-making pro-ams that are already drawing crossover attention. Here’s a compact but thorough guide so you can follow the tournament like a pro.
Overview & Quick Facts
📸 Official Tournament Graphic — The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican 2025
- Event: The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican
- Dates: November 13–16, 2025.
- Venue: Pelican Golf Club — Belleair / Tampa Bay area.
- Format: 72-hole stroke play (cut after 36 holes).
- Notable notes: The event has expanded partnership and purse investments in recent seasons as part of LPGA growth initiatives.
Top Storylines to Watch
1) Late-season positioning and momentum: With the LPGA season winding toward the CME Group Tour Championship, many players treat Pelican as a last big push to secure season-ending goals — points, ranking moves, and sponsor momentum. Expect aggressive strategies and sub-par scoring attempts on scoring holes.
2) Pro-am stars bringing mainstream attention: The tournament’s pro-am roster keeps drawing non-golf stars; WNBA phenom Caitlin Clark is set to return to Pelican’s high-profile pro-am, a crowd magnet that increases local and national visibility.
3) Sponsor invites and new faces: This year the event’s sponsor invites are also generating headlines (including high-profile social stars and top amateurs), which can change dynamics in early rounds and create social buzz around the tournament.
Players to Watch
Pelican regularly attracts the top names on the LPGA Tour. Watch for:
- Former winners & big-names: The event has been won multiple times by top stars — expect former champions and major winners to be favourites.
- Rising stars: Late-season form players who have momentum from recent events — keep an eye on recent event winners and top 10 finishers on the LPGA leaderboard.
- Local and sponsor-invite impact players: Pro-am invitees (like Caitlin Clark) won’t contend for the title but can bring energy and media attention to featured groups.
How to Watch
The LPGA provides live streaming and broadcast windows for each event through its official site and broadcast partners. Live and stream times vary by region — check the tournament page for the daily live/stream windows and local TV listings.
Tickets & On-site Info
Public tickets, hospitality passes and pro-am access are sold via the tournament site. If you plan to attend, book early for weekend grounds passes and any hospitality experiences; the event draws strong local crowds in the Tampa Bay market.
Last Tournament Highlights – TOTO Japan Classic 2025
Here’s a sharp recap of what happened at the last LPGA stop — and how it sets the tone for Pelican:
- Winner: Nasa Hataoka clinched victory in a sudden-death playoff after the final round was cancelled due to heavy rain at the Seta Golf Course in Japan. She and Yuna Araki were tied at 15-under after 54 holes. Hataoka prevailed on the first playoff hole.
- Conditions & drama: The tournament was impacted by weather so severe that the final 18 holes were deemed unplayable and scrapped — a rare disruption in LPGA Tour scheduling.
- Noteworthy performers: Miyu Yamashita finished one stroke behind the leaders after posting a 68 in Round 3; Shuri Sakuma ended three shots back; Ai Suzuki four off the pace.
- Purse & stakes: The prize fund was elevated to USD 2.1 million (an increase of USD 100K over prior year) with winner’s share at around USD 315,000.
- Implication for Pelican: With strong form being carried into Pelican and the season finale drawing near, players who showed resilience in Japan will be ones to watch. The rain-affected finish also adds a wildcard edge to who comes in fully primed for clean rounds this week.
FAQ
- When is The ANNIKA at Pelican?
- November 13–16, 2025.
- Where is the tournament played?
- Pelican Golf Club, Belleair, Florida (Tampa Bay area).
- How can I watch live?
- Live streams and TV windows are posted on the LPGA tournament page; coverage typically includes live streaming windows and highlight broadcasts—check the official watch page for daily start times.
- Who’s playing in the pro-am this year?
- The pro-am attracts celebrities and crossover stars — WNBA star Caitlin Clark is confirmed to return to the Pelican pro-am this November, which has been a notable draw for the event.
- Are there any sponsor invites creating headlines?
- Yes — recent sponsor invites have generated headlines this season; media outlets reported notable sponsor invites and debuts that add social buzz to the tournament.
