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 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 tournament officials to cancel the final round.
Two tournaments ran concurrently on the course: the main LPGA 72-hole stroke play event and a separate competition with top amateurs qualified from earlier Pro-Am play during the week. Each professional was paired with two celebrities or amateurs, changing partners every round, while the amateurs and celebrities competed under a Modified Stableford system.
Nelly Korda Seizes Opportunity to Win 16th LPGA Title
Nelly Korda surged to the top of the leaderboard on Saturday with a strong 64 and a three-shot lead. However, the tournament’s organization deteriorated amid cold and windy conditions; eight players had to suspend their third round Saturday as the weather worsened and only completed it on Sunday afternoon. Korda ultimately secured her 16th LPGA Tour title, with Amy Yang finishing three strokes behind in second and Brooke Henderson placing third.
The decision to end the LPGA tournament early on Sunday faced criticism due to long delays and poor communication. The final day began with temperatures around -4°C and wind gusts up to 24 km/h, causing multiple start delays as officials awaited better conditions. When temperatures only rose to 4°C, it was decided the tournament could not continue, despite forecasts of warmer weather on Monday.
According to the LPGA, the low temperatures combined with strong winds made the greens unpredictable, with balls rolling uncontrollably. In contrast, the amateur tournament began at 10 a.m. with a nine-hole round.
Confusion Over Different Treatment of Competitions
Golf journalist Beth Ann Nichols of Golfweek noted that journalists waited since 10 a.m. for explanations on why amateurs were allowed more holes while LPGA players stayed in the clubhouse awaiting a final decision. Four hours passed without updates on whether play would resume. The LPGA later announced the tournament would be shortened to 54 holes, citing similar weather forecasts preventing completion of all 72 holes.
Conflicting Views on Course Conditions
Despite the cold, some participants disagreed with the cancellation. Swedish player Annika Sörenstam, competing as an amateur, told Golfweek she found the course playable and was surprised by the decision, describing the conditions as fair despite the cold. Former tennis player and amateur Mardy Fish described the greens as feeling like concrete on Sunday morning.
LPGA Chief Business and Operations Officer Ricky Lasky explained the hard ground affected shot flight during practice and emphasized different competition formats: stroke play for pros, modified stableford for amateurs. She expressed the commitment to maintaining championship-level competition, making the 54-hole finish necessary to ensure fairness.
Criticism of LPGA Communication and Falling Excitement in Women’s Golf
Beth Ann Nichols later criticized LPGA’s delayed statements on social media, calling