Icy temperatures and organizational issues shorten the LPGA season opener. Nelly Korda benefits and claims her 16th tour victory.
The season-opening event of the LPGA Tour, the 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 very windy weather in the ‘Sunshine State’ led tournament officials to cancel the final round.
Two tournaments ran concurrently on the course: the LPGA season opener in a 72-hole stroke play format and a competition featuring the top qualified amateurs from the week’s Pro-Am event. Each professional player was paired with two celebrities or amateurs, who rotated each round. The celebrities and amateurs played under a Modified Stableford system.
Nelly Korda Navigates Chaos to Claim Her 16th LPGA Title
Although Nelly Korda secured the lead with a strong 64 on Saturday and a three-shot advantage, the tournament’s organization deteriorated amid severe weather. Eight competitors had to suspend their third rounds Saturday due to dropping temperatures and strong winds, resuming on Sunday afternoon. Korda ultimately earned her 16th LPGA Tour title. Amy Yang finished second, three strokes behind, followed by Brooke Henderson in third.
Officials delayed the decision to end the tournament early on Sunday, drawing criticism over communication. The final day started with temperatures near -4°C and wind gusts up to 24 km/h. Delays aimed to await better conditions, but when temperatures only rose to 4°C, officials concluded play could not continue—even though forecasts predicted warmer weather on Monday.
The LPGA stated the tournament was unplayable due to the cold combined with strong winds that caused balls to roll unpredictably across the greens. Meanwhile, the amateur event proceeded with a 9-hole round starting at 10 a.m.
Confusion Over Unequal Treatment
Golf journalist Beth Ann Nichols from the American Golfweek criticized the situation on social media. Journalists waited hours in the press room without updates on why amateurs played more holes while LPGA players waited for the final day decision. After discussions among officials, tournament staff, partners, and course maintenance, the tournament was officially cut to 54 holes, citing similar poor weather forecast for Monday that would have prevented a 72-hole finish.
Conflicting Opinions on Conditions
Not everyone agreed with the cancellation. Swedish player Annika Sörenstam, competing in the amateur event, told Golf