The story was left unfinished at the Pinnacle Country Club. And not even that. After a stellar start by Carlota Ciganda (-7) on the first day, without bogeys and placed in third position just one shot from the lead, the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship of the LPGA Tour has been cancelled because the course is basically unplayable. This is the result of more than 80 mm of rain that fell overnight. Yesterday, barely any play was possible, and today the situation was even worse.
Given the circumstances, the LPGA Tour, after evaluating the course with the meteorologist and the greenkeeper, concluded that, with the forecast for today and the next two days, it was highly unlikely to complete 36 holes to give the tournament official status. Thus, the final decision has been to cancel the rest of the championship. Only the 18 holes already played count, and only for prize distribution purposes. The tournament remains unofficial (without CME Globe points). The first position ended up being shared by Sarah Schmelzel and Minami Katsu, both with -8, although there will be no official winner.
A statement regarding the @NWAChampionship: pic.twitter.com/PrGBmI1RTg
— LPGA (@LPGA) September 21, 2025
What there will be is a distribution of money according to the classification after the first 18 holes, although the total amount has not yet been reported. Walmart and P&G, the tournament sponsors, will pay more money than legally required in case of cancellation, and all players will receive compensation, regardless of their position after 18 holes.
For Carlota, who had presented an excellent bid for victory, with a strong performance on a soft and attackable course, the decision means seeing closed one of the best windows of the year to secure the second victory of the season. The script called for patience, control of effects, and sharp wedges, exactly the repertoire the Navarrese had shown from the start. With 36 holes ahead, or at least another 18, Sunday promised a big fight.
There will be no conclusion, no comebacks, no duels at sunset in the natural stadium formed by holes 17 and 18. Nature marked the most painful interruption: tournament cancelled. There remains the competitive consolation —another round of high level from the Ulzama player— and the salute to a tournament that, despite the outcome, protects the players. But also the bitter feeling of an opportunity that went to limbo.
Carlota loses a great opportunity to win, while Julia López and Azahara Muñoz also have reasons to lament. Many. Both miss out on a week where they could add to their respective goals. Julia is looking to qualify for the Final of the Race to CME Globe, as well as achieve her first victory, and Azahara needs points to get into the top 100 of the ranking and save her card.
After Arkansas, there is only one tournament left before the Asia tour, where Azahara does not have her entry secured, and a final tournament in Florida. In the worst case, the player from San Pedro de Alcántara still has two options to earn points and save her playing rights for another year on the LPGA Tour. Julia is in the upper mid-range of the classification with a score of 68 strokes on Thursday, while Azahara was fighting right on the cut line after a card of 70.
