Ryann O'Toole Wins $1 Million LPGA Prize While on Maternity Leave

Ryann O'Toole won't have to swing another golf club this season to collect the biggest payday of her professional career.

The 39-year-old LPGA Tour veteran officially won the 2026 Aon Risk Reward Challenge and its $1 million prize Monday, accomplishing something particularly remarkable while on maternity leave and preparing to become a mother for the first time.

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O'Toole is expecting a baby boy in January.

After 16 years on the LPGA Tour, O'Toole has experienced plenty of competitive highs and lows. But this particular victory might be the sweetest, especially considering she hasn't competed since August.

"It's like winning three tournaments or a major," O'Toole told Golfweek while discussing the potential payday in October. "It's unbelievable."

The Aon Risk Reward Challenge recognizes players who combine aggressive shot-making with smart course management on selected par-4 and par-5 holes throughout the season.

O'Toole established a commanding lead during the summer, finishing 22 under par across her counting scores before stepping away following the FM Championship.

Her decision to stop competing wasn't merely about protecting her lead. As her pregnancy progressed, continuing to play became increasingly difficult.

Fortunately, her earlier performances had already positioned her to win.

O'Toole hit 21 of 24 greens in regulation on designated challenge holes, an exceptional 87.5 percent success rate compared with her overall season average of 65.5 percent.

She also recorded four eagles on the competition's par-5 holes while avoiding a single three-putt across her counting opportunities.

Perhaps most impressively, O'Toole transformed her par-5 performance after ranking 125th on Tour in that category last season. She climbed to 11th in 2026, the highest ranking of her career.

Added distance helped fuel that improvement. O'Toole averaged a career-best 270.6 yards off the tee, proving that approaching 40 hasn't diminished her ability to attack golf courses.

Jeeno Thitikul, who won last year's competition, finished second in the standings, while Sei Young Kim placed third.

The $1 million bonus nearly doubles O'Toole's previous best single-season earnings from tournament play, making it a significant financial achievement for the longtime professional.

O'Toole also acknowledged the importance of trusting her decisions during an unusually demanding year.

"Sometimes the greatest rewards come from continuing to trust yourself," she said in a statement announcing the award.

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With a baby arriving in January and the richest individual payday of her career secured, O'Toole heads into the offseason with two extraordinary milestones to celebrate.

And she managed to accomplish one of them without playing a competitive round for more than two months.