Nelly Korda Wins LPGA Opener Shortened by Extreme Cold
Nelly Korda emerged victorious in the LPGA’s season opener, clinching the title without hitting a shot on the final day. The LPGA canceled the last round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions due to extreme cold weather conditions. Korda’s impressive score of 13 under, which included a remarkable 8-under 64 on Saturday, secured her a three-shot win over Amy Yang. This victory marks her first LPGA title since November 2024, bringing her career total to 16 wins.
Nelly Korda’s Performance and Conditions
Korda expressed satisfaction with her Saturday performance, regarding it as one of her top three rounds. She said, “Thursday and Friday were completely different conditions compared to Saturday, but I was very happy with my game.” Her round on Saturday was more than nine strokes better than the field average.
Cancellation of the Final Round
The LPGA halted play for the final round due to dangerously low temperatures and high winds. As the temperature felt like it was in the low teens, players were scheduled to restart at 10 a.m. but were met with conditions that made the greens and fairways hard and unplayable. LPGA official Ricki Lasky noted changes in shot trajectories during practice.
- Temperature felt like 11 degrees
- Ricki Lasky observed unplayable greens impacting player performance
Despite the adverse conditions, the celebrity division competitors resumed play, albeit with their final rounds limited to nine holes. Mardy Fish won the celebrity category with an even-par 36, finishing five points ahead of the competition.
Reactions and Future Events
Yang expressed disappointment over not playing the final round, wishing for an earlier start. “I knew what kind of weather was coming today,” she noted. The LPGA announced the final round cancellation officially at 12:40 p.m., citing an “optimal competitive environment” as the reason.
The next LPGA event is scheduled for February 19-22 in Pattaya, Thailand. Korda will not compete in the upcoming Asian events, extending her absence to 19 consecutive tournaments in the region due to either injury or other reasons.
Conclusion
Korda’s triumph at the season opener highlights her exceptional talent amidst challenging weather conditions. The insight from the LPGA’s management and players indicates a commitment to maintaining fair competition standards, even in difficult circumstances.
