Icy temperatures and organizational issues shorten the LPGA season opener. Nelly Korda benefits, claiming her 16th tour victory.
The LPGA Tour’s season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions was scheduled from January 29 to February 1 at the Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida. Unusually cold and windy weather in the Sunshine State forced tournament officials to cancel the final round.
Two tournaments ran simultaneously on the course: the LPGA season opener in a 72-hole stroke play format and a competition featuring top amateurs from the week’s Pro-Am event. Each professional player was paired with two celebrities or amateurs, who alternated each round. A Modified Stableford system was used for the celebrities and amateurs.
Nelly Korda Seizes Opportunity to Win 16th LPGA Title
Nelly Korda surged to the top of the leaderboard on Saturday with a remarkable 64 and a three-stroke lead. However, according to observers, tournament organization deteriorated amid severe cold and strong winds, forcing eight players to suspend their third round early on Saturday. These players completed their rounds only on Sunday afternoon, with Korda ultimately securing her 16th LPGA Tour title. Amy Yang finished second, three strokes behind, and Brooke Henderson took third place.
The delayed decision to end the tournament early sparked criticism toward officials. The final day began with temperatures around -4°C (25°F) and wind gusts up to 24 km/h (15 mph). Organizers postponed the final round multiple times, hoping for better conditions, but after temperatures only rose to 4°C (39°F), they called off the remainder of the event—even though warmer weather was forecast for Monday.
The LPGA stated the tournament was unplayable as cold winds caused balls to roll uncontrollably across greens. Meanwhile, the amateur competition commenced at 10 a.m. as a nine-hole round.
Confusion Over Differential Treatment of Amateurs and Pros
Golf journalist Beth Ann Nichols from Golfweek noted journalists waited since 10 a.m. for information on why amateurs could play beyond nine holes while LPGA players were confined indoors awaiting the final round decision. No updates came for over four hours on how or if the tournament would continue.
After discussions involving rules officials, staff, partners, and course management, the LPGA announced the tournament would be shortened to 54 holes. They also cited poor weather forecasts for the next day preventing a 72-hole completion.
Conflicting Views on Playing Conditions
Not all agreed with the cancellation decision. Swedish player Annika Sörenstam, competing as an amateur, told Golfweek she found the course playable despite the cold, observing that balls stayed on the greens and the playing conditions were fair. Former tennis pro and amateur Mardy Fish described the greens as extremely hard.
LPGA Chief Business and Operations Officer Ricky Lasky explained the hard ground affected shot trajectories during practice, reinforcing the need to protect the championship-level integrity by ending the event after 54 holes. She clarified the distinction between the Modified Stableford amateur contest and the LPGA stroke play tournament, emphasizing fairness to all