Freezing temperatures and organizational chaos 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 to run from January 29 to February 1 at the Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida. However, unusually cold and windy weather in the Sunshine State led tournament officials to cancel the final round.
Two tournaments ran simultaneously on the course: the LPGA season opener played in a 72-hole stroke play format and a separate event featuring the top amateurs from the week-long Pro-Am competition. Each professional was paired with two celebrities or amateurs, who rotated each round, using a Modified Stableford scoring system for the celebrity and amateur competition.
Nelly Korda Takes Advantage of the Chaos to Secure Her 16th LPGA Title
Despite posting a strong 64 on Saturday to take a three-shot lead atop the leaderboard, the management of the tournament deteriorated into chaos according to local observers. Eight players had to stop their third round early due to dropping temperatures and strong winds. They only completed their rounds on Sunday afternoon. This allowed Korda to secure her 16th LPGA Tour victory, with Amy Yang finishing three shots behind in second and Brooke Henderson placing third.
Decisions regarding the early ending of the tournament on Sunday were delayed significantly, sparking heavy criticism over the process and communication. The final day began with lows around -4°C and wind gusts up to 24 km/h, causing multiple postponements of the start time as officials waited for better conditions. When temperatures barely rose to 4°C, it became clear the tournament would not continue despite forecasts for warmer weather on Monday.
The LPGA stated that the tournament was unplayable due to the hard ground combined with strong winds causing balls to roll uncontrollably across the greens. Meanwhile, the amateur tournament started at 10 a.m. with a nine-hole round.
Confusion Over Different Treatment of Competitors
Golf journalist Beth Ann Nichols from the American newspaper Golfweek was on site and highlighted the situation on social media. Journalists had been waiting since 10 a.m. in the press room for explanations why amateurs were allowed to play more than nine holes while LPGA players remained in the clubhouse awaiting a final decision. Even after four hours, no information was provided by the LPGA about whether or how the tournament would continue.
An official LPGA statement announced that after discussions with rules officials, tournament staff, partners, and course maintenance, the tournament would be shortened to a 54-hole event due to similar weather forecasts preventing a full 72-hole completion.
Contradictory Statements About Conditions
Not all present agreed with the decision. Swedish player Annika Sörenstam, participating in the amateur event, said she found the course playable. \”I don’t understand why play stopped,\” she told Golfweek. \”There are pitch marks everywhere. I made some really good shots today, and the ball even held its line. I’m surprised. It’s tough, cold, but as fair as anything.\”
Former tennis player