Icy temperatures and organizational issues shorten the LPGA season opener. Nelly Korda benefits and claims her 16th tour victory.
The LPGA Tour’s season-opening event, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, was scheduled from January 29 to February 1 at the Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida. However, unusually cold and very windy weather in the Sunshine State led tournament officials to cancel the final round.
Two tournaments ran simultaneously at the course: the LPGA season opener played as a 72-hole stroke play event, and a separate competition with the top-qualified amateurs from the week’s Pro-Am. Each professional player was paired with two celebrities or amateurs, who rotated each round, with a Modified Stableford format applied to the amateurs and celebrities.
Nelly Korda Takes Advantage of Chaos to Secure 16th LPGA Title
Despite setting the pace with a strong 64 on Saturday and a three-shot lead, the tournament’s organization deteriorated according to on-site observers. Eight players had to suspend their third round Saturday due to cold and strong winds, completing it only Sunday afternoon. This allowed Korda to secure her 16th LPGA Tour title. Amy Yang finished second, three shots behind, followed by Brooke Henderson in third place.
Decisions to end the LPGA tournament early on Sunday were delayed, drawing significant criticism over the handling and communication. The final day started with temperatures around -4°C and wind gusts up to 24 km/h. Officials repeatedly delayed the final round to await better conditions, but when temperatures rose only to 4°C, they concluded the tournament could not continue, despite warmer forecasts for Monday.
The LPGA stated the course was unplayable as low temperatures combined with strong winds caused balls to roll uncontrollably on the greens. The amateur event, however, began at 10 a.m. with a nine-hole round.
Confusion Over Differing Treatment of Players
The well-known golf journalist Beth Ann Nichols from Golfweek was on-site and noted on social media that journalists waited in the press room from 10 a.m. for explanations why amateurs could play more than nine holes while LPGA players waited for final round decisions. Four hours passed without updates from the LPGA on if or how the tournament would resume.
The LPGA later released an official statement saying, after discussions with officials and course staff, the tournament would be shortened to 54 holes, citing similar weather forecasts for the following day that would prevent a full 72-hole completion.
Contradictions Regarding Course Conditions
Despite frigid conditions, not all agreed with the cancellation. Swedish player Annika Sörenstam, participating in the amateur competition, told Golfweek she found the course playable and was surprised by the decision. Former tennis player and amateur Mardy Fish described the practice green as feeling \”like concrete\” early Sunday.
LPGA’s Chief Business and Operations Officer Ricky Lasky explained the ground was very hard affecting shots during practice, and emphasized the two competitions were different formats with the stroke play counting CME points. To maintain a championship-level competition, they felt it necessary to