Austria’s Katharina Muehlbauer has been voted the 2025 Players’ Player of the Year by her fellow competitors on the LET Access Series (LETAS), receiving the award unanimously.
Launched in 2024, the Players’ Player of the Year award celebrates a golfer who inspires both on and off the course. England’s Billie-Jo Smith was the inaugural recipient. The accolade recognises not only athletic performance but also character, leadership, and contribution to the sport.
Nominees are considered based on several criteria:
- Excellence on the course,
- Advocacy for the growth of women’s golf,
- Exceptional sportsmanship,
- Commitment to personal and athletic development.
Muehlbauer, who finished third on the 2025 LETAS Order of Merit, received the honour during Saturday’s card ceremony.
Alongside her trophy and LET card, she was surprised with a special gift from her close friend and fellow Tour player, Lucie Andre.
Andre put together a heartfelt video compilation featuring 23 players sharing messages of congratulations and admiration.
“Winning the Players’ Player was a complete surprise. I never thought I would be the one,” said an emotional Muehlbauer.
“They sent me an 11-minute video. I don’t even know how many people were in it, but I just cried. Happy tears, of course. It’s amazing. It’s so nice to see that I’ve made an impact over the years.”
Muehlbauer’s journey to the LET has been one of perseverance. Since joining LETAS in 2021, she narrowly missed promotion three times—finishing 10th in 2021, 11th in 2022, and 10th again in 2023.
Last year, she struggled, missing nearly half the cuts. But in 2025, she bounced back with a standout season, including six top 10 finishes.
Her breakthrough came with a commanding three-shot victory at the PGA of Sweden Championship in Gothenburg, a 72-hole tournament played across two demanding courses.
Now, with her LET card secured, the 28-year-old Austrian is set to embark on her rookie season on Europe’s top women’s golf tour.
We can’t wait to see what’s next for our beloved Kathi.
