Icy temperatures and organizational issues shorten the LPGA season opener. Nelly Korda benefits and claims 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 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 LPGA season opener in a 72-hole stroke play format and a separate event featuring top qualified amateurs from the earlier Pro-Am competition. Each professional player was paired with two celebrities or amateurs, with the celebrity partners changing each round. A Modified Stableford scoring system applied to the amateurs and celebrities.
Nelly Korda Navigates Chaos to Secure 16th LPGA Title
Despite posting a strong 64 on Saturday and securing a three-stroke lead, Nelly Korda saw the tournament organization unravel into chaos. Eight players had to suspend their third round on Saturday due to dropping temperatures and strong winds, only completing it Sunday afternoon. This allowed Korda to clinch her 16th LPGA Tour title. Amy Yang finished second, three shots behind, and Brooke Henderson took third place.
The decision to end the tournament early on Sunday was delayed significantly, drawing criticism over communication and handling. The final day began with lows around -4°C and wind gusts up to 24 km/h. Officials postponed the start of the final round multiple times, hoping for better conditions. When the temperature only rose to 4°C, they decided to call off the remainder of the event despite forecasts predicting warmer weather later on Monday.
According to the LPGA, the combination of low temperatures and high winds caused balls to roll uncontrollably over the greens, rendering play impossible. In contrast, the amateur event started at 10 a.m. with a nine-hole round.
Controversy over Differential Treatment of Players
Golf journalist Beth Ann Nichols from American publication Golfweek was on site and noted social media confusion. Journalists waited since 10 a.m. in the press room for explanations why amateurs played over nine holes while LPGA players waited indoors for the final day’s fate. Even after four hours, there was no clear information from the LPGA about continuing play.
\”After discussions among rules officials, tournament staff, partners, and course maintenance teams, it was decided to shorten the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions 2026 to a 54-hole event,\” the LPGA announced officially. They also cited similar weather forecasts for the next day which would have prevented completing all 72 holes.
Conflicting Opinions on Course Conditions
Despite subfreezing temperatures, some disagreed with the call. Swedish player Annika Sörenstam, competing in the amateur event, told Golfweek she found the course playable. \”I don’t understand why play stopped,\” she said. \”There were pitch marks everywhere. I made some good shots today and balls held their lies. I’m surprised. It’s tough, cold, but it was as fair as can be.\”