Maria Fassi topped the LPGA’s driving distance category last year with an average of nearly 280 yards. The year prior, Anne van Dam clocked in at 291 yards, a full six yards ahead of her nearest competitor.
As the women’s game gets longer, stronger and deeper with each passing year, it’s interesting to note that some of the most powerful players in the game also often happen to be ranked No. 1.
Conversely, there are a handful of names on this list that might be new to casual fans.
The LPGA tracks driving distance on two holes each week, and there are times when the holes selected are designed in such a way that promotes the longest players on tour to hit a fairway metal or hybrid. In other words, the numbers below could’ve been even higher.
Here’s a look at the biggest hitters on the LPGA over the past 20 years:
2003
Annika Sorenstam talks to the media Saturday, October 11, 2003 in the third round of the Samsung World Championship in Houston, Texas. Sorenstam finished nine under par in fourth place. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Annika Sorenstam: 269.760 yards
2004
Sweden’s Sophie Gustafson drives from the second tee during the final round of the Women’s British Open at at The Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, Sunday, August 20, 2000. Gustafson won by two shots over four golfers.
Sophie Gustafson: 270.080 yards
2005
Brittany Lincicome during the 2010 Kraft Nabisco Championship.
Brittany Lincicome: 270.280 yards
2006
Karin Sjodin drives from the 11th tee during the second round at the 2006 SBS Open at Turtle Bay February 17 at Kahuku, Hawaii. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Karen Sjodin: 284.470 yards
2007
Karin Sjodin hits a shot during the first round of the John Q. Hammons Hotel Classic on September 8, 2006 at the Cedar Ridge Country Club in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. (Photo by: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
Karen Sjodin: 274.660 yards
2008
Lorena Ocho with Ping’s new i15 driver.
Lorena Ochoa: 269.240 yards
2009
Vicky Hurst of USA plays her first shot on the 4th tee during the Ricoh Women’s British Open – Previews at Woburn Golf Club on July 27, 2016 in Woburn, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
Vicky Hurst: 272.540 yards
2010
Michelle Wie West plays her shot from the 18th tee during the first round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship golf tournament at the Atlanta Athletic Club. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports
Michelle Wie West: 274.490 yards
2011
Brittany Lincicome of the United States plays her shot from the fourth tee during the first round of the 2020 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on October 08, 2020 in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Brittany Lincicome: 271.560 yards
2012
Brittany Lincicome plays her shot from the 13th tee during the second round of the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open golf tournament at Wascana Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Brittany Lincicome: 275.970 yards
2013
Nicole Smith hits a shot during the second round of the 2013 North Texas LGPA Shootout at the Las Colinas Country Club on April 26, 2013 in Irving, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Nicole Smith: 274.960 yards
2014
Joanna Klatten of France poses for a portrait at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort on March 22, 2017 in Carlsbad, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
Joanna Klatten: 272.040 yards
2015
Joanna Klatten of France watches her drive on the 17th hole during the first round of the Lotte Championship on April 18, 2019 in Kapolei, Hawaii. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Joanna Klattten: 274.420 yards
2016
Joanna Klatten of France plays a tee shot during the third round of the LPGA LOTTE Championship Presented By Hershey at Ko Olina Golf Club on April 15, 2016 in Kapolei, Hawaii. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Joanna Klatten: 281.370 yards
2017
Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Canada plays her tee shot at the 2nd hole during the final round of the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open at Dundonald Links Golf Course on July 31, 2022 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Maude-Aimee Leblanc: 279.260 yards
2018
Yani Tseng hits off of the 7th tee during the first round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Sahalee Country Club – South/North Course. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Yani Tseng: 275.00 yards
2019
Anne van Dam of the Netherlands hits from the 14th tee during the final round of the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational at Midland Country Club in Midland, Michigan, on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Photo by Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Anne van Dam: 283.840 yards
2020
Bianca Pagdanganan of the Philippines hits their shot on the 2nd tee during the final round of the Cognizant Founders Cup at Upper Montclair Country Club on May 15, 2022 in Clifton, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Bianca Pagdanganan: 283.070 yards
2021
Anne van Dam at the 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in Chaska, Minn. Photo: David Cannon/Getty Images
Anne van Dam: 290.820 yards
2022
Maria Fassi of Mexico plays her shot from the 18th tee during the first round of the Pelican Women’s Championship at Pelican Golf Club on November 11, 2022 in Belleair, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Maria Fassi: 279.250 yards
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