LPGA Tour: Nelly Korda wins season-opening Tournament of Champions after cold weather cuts event to 54 holes

Nelly Korda won a shortened Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions to claim her first LPGA title in over a year.

World No 2 Korda had not picked up a trophy since The Annika in November 2024, and didn't even have to pick up a club to break that drought on Sunday after the championship was shortened to 54 holes amid cold and blustery conditions in Florida.

The American pushed out ahead of the field after carding an eight-under 64 on a chilly Saturday to sit 13 under par for the tournament at Lake Nona.

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South Korea's Amy Yang was the only player with any chance of catching her once the decision to shorten the tournament had been made, sitting three shots back at 10 under with two holes to play on Sunday.

Even that was scant though, having to go around the par three 17th and par four 18th in just four strokes - barring a hole-in-one and a birdie, or a birdie-eagle then victory would go to Korda - and so it proved as she claimed a 16th LPGA Tour win of her career, and a first in the season-opening event.

"I started off great," she said, speaking about her third, and as it proved, final round. "Birdied the first two holes and then made an eagle from the fairway on No 3, so I can't complain ever starting my round like that.

"I knew the conditions were going to be tough, so getting off to a good start like that really helped.

"Overall just stayed really focused and super committed on my lines. It's really easy to doubt yourself and your lines in winds and conditions like this. I just made sure that I was 100 per cent committed."

Yang completed her final two holes on Sunday in the regulation seven strokes, meaning she finished 10 under par for the tournament to take second place, with Brooke Henderson taking third three shots further back after completing her round on Saturday in 66.

England's Lottie Woad had a share of the lead after 36 holes, alongside 2024 Olympic gold medallist Lydia Ko, but five bogeys on a windswept day three derailed her charge and she finished in a tie for seventh - two shots behind New Zealander Ko, who finished outright fourth on six under par.

Korda glad to get back on winning trail after fighting difficult conditions

The victorious Korda, who joined older sister Jessica - the 2021 champion - as a winner of the event, was delighted to prevail despite the challenging conditions.

Some questions were raised about the 27-year-old's form following a disappointing and winless 2025, but she was pleased to prove the doubters wrong after starting the new year in ideal fashion.

"It feels amazing," she said. "I'm just super proud of Jason [McDede, her caddie] and I, yesterday, for how we fought those conditions.

"For my team, I wouldn't be here without them. We're all pieces of a puzzle. I wouldn't be who I am without them. Just so grateful."

She went round registering seven birdies and an eagle ahead of a sole blemish at 17, before telling reporters the taxing conditions left her in "survival mode".

"Thursday, Friday, were obviously completely different conditions to Saturday but, overall, I was very happy with my game," said Korda.

"Kind of led into it really nicely where I saved the best for last I guess. The first tournament of the season is always tough. You're working on stuff and you kind of test it out, but at the end of the day you're going in for that trophy."

What's next?

The LPGA Tour heads to Asia next for the Honda LPGA Thailand, taking place from February 19-22 at Siam Country Club and live on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW.

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