Icy temperatures and organizational issues shorten the LPGA season opener, with Nelly Korda claiming her 16th tour win.
The LPGA Tour’s season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions was scheduled from January 29 to February 1 at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida. However, unusually cold and windy conditions in the Sunshine State forced tournament officials to cancel the final round.
The event featured two simultaneous tournaments on the same course: the LPGA season opener in a 72-hole stroke play format, and a competition involving top amateurs from the pro-am played during the week. Each professional was paired with two celebrities or amateurs, with rotating celebrity partners each round, contested under a modified Stableford system for the latter.
Nelly Korda Capitalizes on Chaos to Secure 16th LPGA Title
Despite a commanding 64 on Saturday putting Nelly Korda three strokes ahead on the leaderboard, the tournament’s progression descended into disarray. Eight players had to suspend their third rounds due to the onset of cold and strong winds, finishing only by Sunday afternoon. Ultimately, Korda secured her 16th LPGA title. Amy Yang finished second, three strokes behind, with Brooke Henderson in third.
The decision to end the LPGA tournament early sparked criticism over timing and communication. Final day temperatures began near -4°C with wind gusts up to 24 km/h, prompting multiple delays to the final round’s start as officials awaited improved conditions. When temperatures only rose to 4°C, officials concluded the tournament could not continue despite warmer forecasts for Monday.
The LPGA stated that low temperatures combined with strong winds caused balls to roll uncontrollably on the greens, rendering play impossible. Meanwhile, the amateur event commenced at 10 a.m. with a nine-hole round.
Confusion over Unequal Treatment
Golf journalist Beth Ann Nichols of Golfweek highlighted the confusion on social media, noting that journalists waited in the press room from 10 a.m. for explanations why amateurs played over nine holes while LPGA pros awaited final round decisions in the clubhouse. Even after four hours, no updates were provided on whether the tournament would resume.
The LPGA officially announced later the event would be shortened to 54 holes due to similar weather forecasts preventing completion of a full 72 holes.
Divergent Opinions on Course Conditions
Not all agreed with the cancellation. Swedish player Annika Sörenstam, competing in the amateur event, told Golfweek she found the course playable despite the cold. Former tennis pro and amateur participant Mardy Fish described the greens as feeling like concrete during warm-up.
LPGA Chief Business and Operations Officer Ricky Lasky explained that the course conditions were very hard, affecting shot trajectories during practice, justifying the decision to end stroke play after 54 holes for fairness, noting the two events operated under different scoring formats.
LPGA Communication Criticized Amidst Waning Excitement
Beth Ann Nichols later criticized the LPGA’s delayed communication on social media for increasing confusion and failing to provide plausible explanations for the late resumption attempt or Monday’s cancellation despite acceptable temperatures. She