After 15 years of competing in the LPGA tour, O' Toole achieved a representative accomplishment in her career through strategic decision-making, and she concluded her season with excellence as she prepared to welcome her first child.
Naples, Florida, November 9th / PRNewswire / -- Aon plc (New York Stock Exchange ticker: AON) and LPGA Tour announced today that Ryann O ' Toole has become the champion of 2026, winning the Aon trophy and a prize money of one million dollars.
O’Toole’s victory was built on making the right choices throughout the season when risks and opportunities coexisted. Analysis of her performance in each hole of Aon Risk Reward Challenge shows that she turned these critical moments into competitive advantages, finishing the tournament with a score 22 strokes under par, and played her best golf of the season at the most crucial moments.
In the 12 challenge holes, the best scores from two rounds for each hole were counted. O' Toole completed the course with a score of 21 strokes under par on the five-stroke hole, including 4 eagle shots. Her putting percentage on the green was 21 out of 24, which is 87.5%, 22 percentage points higher than her overall average for the season, and she managed 15 putts in one stroke, without a single three-putt.
Her performance on challenging holes reflects a broader transformation in her golf skills. In 2025, she ranked 125th in LPGA Tour five-hole courses; by 2026, she had risen to 11th place, which is her best ranking in her 16-year career. At the age of 39, she also achieved her career-best average driving distance of 270.6 yards, striking a balance between improved distance and consistent execution, and was able to seize opportunities throughout the season.
For O' Toole, these decisions don't only happen on the court. She has already established a clear lead in the standings and met the minimum number of rounds required to qualify for the competition. Therefore, after the FM championship, she decided to end her 2026 LPGA Tour season to prepare for the birth of her first child. This means she has left the final outcome of Aon Risk Reward Challenge to the remaining competitors, but she is full of confidence in the position she has established throughout the season.
LPGA Tour Commissioner Craig Kessler said: “Ryann is a veteran who knows when to take risks and how to turn them into results. It’s inspiring to see her win the Aon Risk Reward Challenge in 2026. A year ago, she returned to Q-Series to fight for a spot in the tournament, and now, despite a limited schedule, she has managed to top the rankings. At the same time, she is also dealing with pregnancy and supporting her brother as he recovers from a serious accident. This is truly a very special moment in golf.”
“O’ Toole represents the philosophy that ‘Aon makes better decisions in the face of uncertainty.’ This year, that resonates with me more than ever. Sometimes, the greatest rewards come from continuing to believe in yourself, focusing on what is truly important, and embracing the opportunities that present themselves, even if the path forward isn’t exactly as you imagined it to be.”
As a veteran with 15 years of experience under the name LPGA Tour, O' Toole is known for her dedication, perseverance, and longevity in her career. Her victory in the 2026 Aon Risk Reward Challenge competition is one of the most significant achievements of her professional career, and the $1 million prize money is nearly twice her highest earnings in a single season.
Aon, North America CEO, Anne Corona said: "The performance of Ryann demonstrates what better decision-making entails: understanding risks, identifying opportunities, and having the confidence to take action at critical moments. We are delighted to celebrate her as the latest Aon Risk Reward Challenge champion, and we also wish Ryann and her partner Gina all the best as they welcome their first child."
O' Toole has added the Aon Risk Reward Challenge championship title to his list of professional achievements, joining the previous champions Carlota Ciganda, Hannah Green, Minjee Lee, Angel Yin, Jeeno Thitikul, and Jennifer Kupcho.
Kessler said, "For Ryann and Gina, as they prepare to welcome their son, I know that this $1 million bonus is of great significance to them. We are very grateful to Aon for rewarding intelligence and courage in golf, and for helping to highlight stories like Ryann. Congratulations to Ryann – we can't wait to see you back on the course with your latest little fan."
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About Aon Risk Reward Challenge
In the seventh season, Aon Risk Reward Challenge demonstrated elite-level performance, making better decisions more evident. This challenge tracks the best results of two rounds in each competition participated in by the players, and players must complete at least 40 rounds of matches throughout the season to be eligible. Players need to weigh risks against opportunities, while data and analysis provide insights into their decisions and how these decisions translate into performance.
This challenge covers 28 regular-season matches, with Golf Channel serving as the official broadcasting partner. Each week during the broadcasts, Aon provides specific insights related to the holes played by Aon Risk Reward Challenge.
To view the final Aon Risk Reward Challenge ranking of LPGA Tour and to learn more information, please click here.
About Aon
Aon plc (New York Stock Exchange ticker: AON) is committed to making decisions more beneficial for the future – protecting and enriching people's lives around the world. With actionable analytical insights, globally integrated expertise in venture capital and human capital, as well as solutions that meet local needs, our colleagues provide clarity and confidence to customers in over 120 countries, helping them make better risk and talent decisions, thereby protecting and developing their businesses.
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The LPGA (LPGA) is a global premier organization for professional women's golf. LPGA was established in 1950 by 13 pioneering female founders, and today its members come from nearly 40 countries, making it the oldest professional women's sports organization in history. Through LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, LPGA Professionals, as well as joint ventures with Ladies European Tour, LPGA provides professional female golfers with opportunities to pursue their dreams at the highest level of golf. In addition to professional tours and teaching certification programs, LPGA also has a fully integrated foundation that offers top-notch programs for young female golfers through junior golf initiatives, and it has a LPGA Amateurs department that provides members with competition and learning opportunities worldwide. LPGA aims to use its unique platform to inspire, empower, and expand opportunities for girls and women both on and off the golf course.
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LPGA Tour is the preferred competitive stage for the world's top female professional golfers. This tour holds 33 events each year in 13 countries, with over 200 athletes participating and a total prize money of over 132 million US dollars. It reaches television audiences in more than 170 countries and regions.
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