Nelly Korda began the 2026 LPGA season with a victory at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, even though she never played a shot on Sunday. Extreme cold forced the LPGA to cancel the tournament’s final round, leaving Korda’s 13-under total anchored by an exceptional 8-under 64 on Saturday, as enough to secure a three-shot victory over Amy Yang.
The win marked Korda’s first LPGA title since November 2024 and the 16th of her career. Reflecting on her performance, Korda called Saturday’s round a “top-3 round of my career” and credited her consistent play throughout the week. She said, “Thursday and Friday were obviously completely different conditions from Saturday, but overall, I was very happy with my game. Kind of led into it really nicely, where I saved the best for last, I guess.”
Saturday’s round showcased Korda’s dominance, as her score outpaced the field average by more than nine strokes. However, the tournament faced mounting challenges with the weather. Eight of the 39 competitors, including the final group, were still on the course when third-round play was halted at 4:19 p.m. due to high winds.
Overnight temperatures plunged into the low teens, leaving the course hard and unyielding. LPGA chief tour business and operations officer Ricki Lasky explained that the cold affected ball behavior during warm-ups, noting, “The balls were releasing when they weren’t supposed to be, so we pushed back the restart time.” Despite no frost being reported, the ground remained firm, creating uneven playing conditions across the course.
Nelly Korda (LPGA)Celebrity Players Competed Despite Cold While LPGA Canceled Round For Fairness
While LPGA professionals faced postponements, celebrity players continued with a nine-hole final round. Participants like Mardy Fish and Annika Sorenstam navigated the frozen course, with Fish commenting, “Felt like I was walking on concrete.” Sorenstam expressed surprise that the pros were not playing, stating, “There’s pitch marks. I hit some crispy shots today, and the ball even stopped. It’s difficult, it’s cold, but it’s as fair as anything.” The contrast highlighted the LPGA’s priority on competitive fairness and player safety, factors that ultimately led to the cancellation of the final round.
The LPGA initially planned a 10 a.m. restart on Sunday but delayed multiple times before officially canceling the round at 12:40 p.m., citing a lack of “optimal competitive environment.” No Monday finish was scheduled, despite forecasts indicating slightly warmer temperatures and calmer conditions. Eight players still completing third-round holes returned briefly, including Amy Yang, who finished her final two holes after the Saturday halt. Yang acknowledged the course was “playable” but expressed disappointment at missing the chance for a full final round: “I wish I played final round, you know, give myself a little chance. I knew what kind of weather was coming today, so wish we had a little earlier start yesterday.”
Brooke Henderson, who posted a third-round 66, finished solo third at seven under, a stroke ahead of Lydia Ko. Ko later told Golfweek she was disappointed that a final round was not completed. Lake Nona, the tournament host, clarified that weather, not the course itself, prevented competitive play. The LPGA later issued a statement emphasizing that the combination of cold, wind, shaded areas, and hardened ground made it impossible to maintain fair competition. Officials noted that despite the grounds crew’s tireless efforts, fairness for the entire field could not be guaranteed.
Nelly Korda (LPGA)Korda Shows Skill, Focus, And Resilience Despite Extreme Weather And Canceled Round
For Korda, the circumstances did not diminish the significance of her victory. Her dominant third-round 64 demonstrated both her talent and readiness for the season ahead. Korda will not compete again until mid-March at the Fortinet Founder Cup, skipping three consecutive Asian events, extending her absence from the region to 19 tournaments. Nevertheless, she remains focused on preparation and momentum, expressing confidence in the LPGA’s decisions and prioritizing what she can control. “I like to focus on myself and prepare for what’s to come with the information that I have at hand,” she said.
The tournament’s challenges also underscored the difficulties players face with extreme weather, from frozen greens to unpredictable ball behavior. Despite these conditions, Korda’s performance reflected resilience, patience, and consistency qualities that have defined her LPGA career. Her win not only adds to her impressive career total but also sets the tone for the 2026 season. As the LPGA moves to its next event in Pattaya, Thailand, Korda’s early success serves as a reminder of her ability to excel even under extraordinary circumstances.
Nelly Korda’s victory at the Tournament of Champions was a testament to her skill, preparation, and focus. Even without a final round, her performance demonstrated her readiness to compete at the highest level and opened the 2026 LPGA season on a strong note.
