NAPLES, FLA | Lydia Ko is just a few pages away closing the book on one of the best seasons in her nine-year career on the LPGA Tour. She’s leading the Rolex Player of the Year race, is a near shoo-in for the Vare Trophy and has a chance at the Money Title. All of that could be hers if she can grab her third win of the season at the CME Group Tour Championship.

But Ko is trying not to think about any of that and just stay content with what she’s accomplished so far, because this is some of the stiffest competition she’s ever faced in her long career.

“These last couple of weeks I’ve been trying not to think too much about the awards and the what-ifs because, even though it’s been a great year for me and something that I’m very proud of, there are other players that have had phenomenal years as well,” Ko told reporters in a press conference on Wednesday. “I think this season more than any other one there are so many players in contention, it’s what makes it super exciting.”

Ko has been thrilled by all the talent she’s seen this season, from rising stars like Atthaya Thitikul to superstar veterans like Jin Young Ko. Over the last few years, the parity on tour has become increasingly apparent and this year has exemplified it. Through 31 events, the tour has seen 26 different winners, tying the LPGA record for most winners in a season. Of those 26, 11 were Rolex First-Time winners – also tying an LPGA record. Three of those first-time winners were rookies, but long-time veterans of the tour have found themselves in contention. Jodi Ewart Shadoff finally found her maiden win at the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship after 12 years on the LPGA Tour.

“I think we all push each other, and we're all pushing ourselves to be the best version of ourselves,” Ko said. “Because of that, the level of play is getting so good that sometimes I’ll play, and it just amazes me.

“I wish more people would come out and watch us play to be able to see so how far Nelly hits it or how consistent Jin Young Ko is or how good Yaeeun Hong putts. I didn’t know those things until I played with them, and I was like, ‘Oh, my God, they’re so good.’ I wish more people would come out just to see that in real life. I think they will be amazed at how talented these players are.”

Ko is no stranger to any of the end-of-the-year awards. A year after becoming the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year in 2014, Ko took home both the Money Title and became the Rolex Player of the Year. Just last year, she captured the Vare Trophy. But this year feels different. With all the competition Ko will face in her final push, she thinks those trophies will carry a different and special meaning this time around.

“To be the best player for that season, those kinds of opportunities don’t come very often,” Ko said. “For me a lot of ups and downs whether in golf and in my personal life have happened since 2015. So, if I was to get it, it would be really cool because it would be like a summary all of those moments adding up to this moment right now. It would be more special.

“Earlier in my career – not that I took it for granted – but I felt like a top ten or a win came easier. The last few years I’ve realized, it’s not easy. The level of competition on tour is getting higher and higher, your percentage to win is a little bit more difficult. I think that is why it would feel special, and it would be meaningful in a different way.”

Luckily, Ko is turning in one of her best seasons on tour by far and – though it won’t be easy – she has more than a fighting chance at her second Rolex Player of the Year, Money Title and Vare Trophy. Ko is one of the few players to win twice on tour this season and has 11 more top 10s. She also leads the tour in scoring average (69.049) and strokes gained total (2.440).

“I think this year has been some of the most consistent golf I’ve played throughout the year,” Ko said. “When I look at my nine years on tour, I’ve had seasons where I started the season well, ended the season well or turned around in the middle, but I was never always steadily there from the start to the end. I feel like I’ve been in that position coming into this week.”

Now, Ko faces off with 60 of the best players on tour, and every one of them more than capable of winning at Tiburon. She may have to turn in her best performance yet to win, but Ko has proven herself more than capable of pulling out a win against this year’s competition.

But wherever she finishes on the leaderboard on Sunday, Ko will have turned the last page on a best-selling season.