Nelly Korda Wins LPGA Opener After Cold-Weather Shortening

Nelly Korda secured a victory at the LPGA’s season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions despite not playing a round on Sunday. The tournament was impacted by extreme cold, leading to the cancellation of the final round.

A Championship Decided by the Weather

Korda finished with a score of 13 under, highlighted by an 8-under 64 on Saturday. This performance gave her a three-shot win over Amy Yang, marking Korda’s first LPGA title since November 2024 and her 16th career LPGA win. Korda described her Saturday round as a “top-3 round of my career,” noting it bested the field average by over nine strokes.

Did You Know? Eight players were still on the course when third-round play was halted Saturday due to high winds.

The LPGA halted third-round play on Saturday at 4:19 p.m. ET due to high winds. Overnight, sub-freezing conditions arrived, with feels-like temperatures dropping to the low teens early Sunday morning. Ricki Lasky, the LPGA’s chief tour business and operations officer, reported a feels-like temperature of 11 degrees.

Challenges on the Course

Despite initial reports of no frost, the ground was described as “really hard” by Lasky, impacting ball trajectory during practise. Players noted the balls were “releasing when they weren’t supposed to be.” A restart time was initially pushed back due to these conditions.

Expert Insight: The LPGA faced a difficult situation balancing competitive integrity with player safety in the face of severe weather. The decision to cancel the final round, while disappointing for some, reflects a prioritization of player well-being and fair playing conditions.

While LPGA players were unable to continue, celebrities participating in the tournament did play a shortened nine-hole round. Mardy Fish won the celebrity division with an even-par 36, while Jack Wagner, a 66-year-old former actor, shot a 34. Annika Sorenstam, also a celebrity entrant, expressed surprise at the decision, noting that despite the conditions, the course was “as fair as anything.”

The LPGA officially canceled the final round at 12:40 p.m. On Sunday, citing a lack of an “optimal competitive environment.” The LPGA did not provide a specific explanation beyond stating that “the temperature was affecting the golf course.” A Monday finish was considered but ultimately rejected, with the LPGA stating that “conditions will deteriorate later today (Sunday) and tomorrow (Monday).”

What’s Next?

The LPGA’s next event is scheduled for February 19-22 in Pattaya, Thailand. Korda will not participate in the Asian events, continuing a streak of 19 consecutive LPGA events in Asia that she will miss. Brooke Henderson finished in third place at 7 under, and Lydia Ko expressed disappointment at not being able to play a final round.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Nelly Korda’s winning score?

Nelly Korda won with a score of 13 under.

Why was the final round of the tournament canceled?

The final round was canceled due to extreme cold and conditions that created an “optimal competitive environment,” according to the LPGA.

Did the celebrities play on Sunday?

Yes, the celebrities did play a shortened nine-hole round on Sunday while the LPGA tournament was canceled.

Given the unusual circumstances of this tournament, how might the LPGA adjust its scheduling or contingency plans for future events in cold-weather locations?