ORLANDO, Fla. — Nelly Korda secured her first victory in 14 months without hitting a shot on Sunday, as the LPGA Tour shortened the season-opening Tournament of Champions to 54 holes due to wind and cold conditions, which made Lake Nona unfit for a final round.
In 2024, Korda achieved seven wins but faced a winless 2025.
She turned in an impressive 8-under 64 on Saturday, a remarkable round that was around nine strokes better than the field average in frigid temperatures and gusts nearing 40 mph. Korda noted it was one of the top three rounds she had ever played.
Korda completed her round just before the LPGA suspended the third round when the wind knocked Youmin Hwang’s golf ball off the 17th green, raising concerns as the final two holes were the most exposed on the course.
The LPGA intended to wrap up the third round Sunday morning and hold the final round, but with temperatures staying below freezing in Central Florida and strong winds causing brittle ground, those plans were voided.
The LPGA reported that the forecast for Monday was equally grim, prompting them to reduce the event to 54 holes.
Korda concluded the tournament at 13-under 203, marking her 16th career victory. although her win being nearly confirmed when the LPGA canceled the final round, she was seen practicing on the putting green and range.
“Today was nerve-wracking,” said Korda. “Not knowing what the outcome was going to be and still trying to be in the mindset of going out for 18 holes, knowing it would be tough. I kept striving to maintain that mindset.”
Amy Yang stood at 10 under with two holes remaining when the third round resumed, needing a birdie and to finish with a full shot on the last two holes. She made par on the par-3 17th, concluding the tournament. Yang finished with par-par for a 69, securing second place.
Brooke Henderson, who shot a 66 on Saturday, finished in third place.
Weather issues are uncommon in Orlando, primarily only rain. This unexpected cold front brought strong winds. The LPGA aimed to start at 10 a.m. but postponed several times until the final round was canceled, with the third round only resuming around 2 p.m.
“We spoke with several players warming up,” remarked Ricki Lasky, the tour’s chief business and operations officer. “The ground was hard, altering their shot trajectories. We tried to take as much time as possible to complete all 72 holes, doing everything we could.”
While the LPGA allowed the celebrity segment of the tournament to go ahead, it was shortened to nine holes. The LPGA emphasized that this was an exhibition using modified Stableford scoring, where no one could score worse than double bogey. Former tennis player Mardy Fish clinched the celebrity portion of the event.
On Saturday, Hwang sank an 18-foot putt on the 17th hole, but the right-to-left wind carried her ball towards a ridge and off the green. She ultimately made a triple bogey, finishing with a par 73, tying for fifth.
Korda plans to take six weeks off, confirming that she will skip the entire Asia swing.
