We said Nelly Korda would be the one to watch this past weekend at The Chevron Championship for the LPGA’s first major, and she did not disappoint!
Korda won the Chevron Championship by two strokes at a total -13 for the weekend ahead of Maja Stark (SE) who finished at -11. Korda has appeared unstoppable this season, holding at world No. 1. She hasn’t lost a tournament since January.
Shooting a 3-under 69 in Sunday’s final round, she finished strong with a near ace on the par-3 17th (her tee shot hit the stick and settled within 10 feet) and went on to birdie the par-5 18th hole to secure her two-shot lead.
OFF THE FLAGSTICK! 💥@NellyKorda nearly aces the 17th hole at the @Chevron_Golf! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Wr6OepdVpb
— LPGA (@LPGA) April 21, 2024
Korda’s victory was capped off continuing the tradition of jumping into the pond next to the 18th hole at Carlton Woods. Her parents – Petry Korda (former Australian Open tennis champion) and Regina Rajchrtova – were in attendance for her trophy presentation, where she was awarded $1.2 million from the overall $7.9 million purse, which was significantly higher than last year’s $5.2 million. This brings Korda’s season earnings above $2 million and career earnings above $11 million.
This weekend has surely made Korda a part of LPGA Tour history as this win was her record-tying fifth straight tournament win alongside Nancy Lopez (1978) and Annika Sorenstam (2004-05), who were the only other players to win five straight LPGA events. On the men’s side, the PGA tour has only had 3 players win in 5+ straight starts – Tiger Woods (5 in 2007-2008, 7 in 2006-2007, 6 in 1999-2000, Ben Hogan (6 in 1948) and Byron Nelson (11 in 1945). There’s no denying Nelly Korda has reached a new level of golf success.
Korda overcame adversity to finish out the weekend after entering Sunday’s final round one shot off Haeran Ryu’s (KOR) lead. Korda went on to birdie two of the first four holes to enter the lead while Ryu (2023 Rookie of the Year) bogeyed the first two holes. Ryu finished in fifth place.
Lauren Coughlin (US) had her best finish in a major with a 3rd place tie alongside Booke Henderson (CAN). Henderson was tied with Korda for a moment over the weekend but struggled early in the first four holes of the final round with a bogey and double bogey.
Jasmine Koo (18 years old) was the low amateur and gave the crowd a great Sunday highlight on the 18th hole. Her second shot bounced off an advertising board in the water and back into play, allowing her to finish the round with a birdie.
Wait for it..
Jasmine Koo BOUNCES it out of the water 🤯 pic.twitter.com/JCkiAW9fOf
— LPGA (@LPGA) April 21, 2024
The action of the LPGA Tour continues next week with the JM Eagle LA Open at Wilshire Country Club in Hollywood.
