Freezing 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. However, unusually cold and very windy weather in the “Sunshine State” forced officials to cancel the final round.
Two tournaments took place simultaneously on the course: the LPGA season opener in a 72-hole stroke play format and an amateur event with top qualifiers from the week’s Pro-Am competition. Each professional was paired with two celebrities or amateurs, with the amateurs rotating each round, competing in a Modified Stableford scoring system.
Nelly Korda Takes Advantage of Chaos to Secure 16th LPGA Title
Despite posting a strong 64 on Saturday to lead the LPGA leaderboard by three shots, tournament organization deteriorated according to on-site observers. Eight players had to stop their third rounds early due to cold and wind, completing only on Sunday afternoon. This secured Korda’s 16th LPGA Tour win. Amy Yang finished second, three shots behind, followed by Brooke Henderson in third.
Decision to end the tournament early on Sunday was delayed, drawing significant criticism regarding communication. The final day began with temperatures around -4°C and gusts up to 24 km/h. Officials postponed start multiple times, waiting for better conditions. When the temperature only rose to 4°C, they declared play 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 unfeasible. Meanwhile, the amateur event started at 10 a.m. with a nine-hole round.
Controversy Over Different Treatment of Players
Golf journalist Beth Ann Nichols from Golfweek noted that journalists waited for hours without updates on why amateurs were allowed more holes while LPGA players waited in the clubhouse. After discussions, it was announced the tournament would be shortened to 54 holes due to weather forecasts for the following day also being unfavorable for a full 72 holes.
Not all agreed with the cancellation. Swedish player Annika Sörenstam, competing as an amateur, said the course was still playable. Former tennis player and amateur participant Mardy Fish described the greens as very hard. LPGA COO Ricky Lasky explained the different competitions required different decisions, emphasizing fairness for the stroke-play event in awarding CME points.
Criticism of LPGA Communication and Declining Women’s Golf Excitement
Beth Ann Nichols criticized the LPGA’s delayed and confusing statements, accusing them of poor communication and mismanaging the situation. American pro Danielle Kang expressed frustration over the growing trend of early tournament shortenings under questionable weather conditions, contrasting with the PGA Tour where reductions or cancellations are a last resort.