Nelly Korda Etches Name in LPGA History with Chevron Championship Win

In a historic performance that will be etched in the annals of professional golf, American sensation Nelly Korda cemented her place among the sport’s all-time greats by clinching her fifth consecutive LPGA Tour victory at the prestigious Chevron Championship in Texas. The 25-year-old world number one achieved a remarkable feat that has been accomplished by only two other players in the tour’s illustrious history, joining the elite company of Nancy Lopez (1978) and Annika Sorenstam (2005).

Korda’s triumph at the first major championship of the year was a testament to her unwavering determination and skill, as she navigated through gusty conditions and a tightly contested leaderboard to secure her second major title with a final score of 13-under par. Starting the final round one shot behind the leader, South Korea’s Ryu Hae-ran, Korda displayed her mettle by carding a three-under par round, ultimately winning by a two-shot margin.

The journey to victory was not without its challenges, as Korda admitted to feeling the weight of the occasion on the back nine. “That back nine felt like the longest back nine of my entire life,” she confessed. “It was a little bit of a grind on the back nine, but I’m happy to get the win.” The nervousness was palpable, with Korda revealing, “I was definitely starting to feel it on the back nine, just the nerves setting in. It’s a major. It’s everything that I’ve always wanted as a little girl, to lift that major trophy.”

Korda’s triumph was punctuated by a birdie on the final hole, a fitting exclamation point to a performance that has solidified her place among the game’s elite. In a heartfelt admission, she expressed relief and joy, saying, “I can finally breathe now and just enjoy the moment because I was definitely really nervous. I feel sick to my stomach.”

While Korda bask in the glory of her historic achievement, Sweden’s Maja Stark and American Lauren Coughlin, who carded the day’s best round of four-under 68, shared joint third place at 10 under par, alongside Canada’s Brooke Henderson. Ryu’s round of 74 saw her finish fifth, a disappointing end to her promising start.

The English contingent at the Chevron Championship also put forth a commendable showing, with Georgia Hall, Charley Hull, and Lottie Woad – fresh off her triumph at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur – all finishing in a share of 23rd place at one under par. Northern Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow trailed closely behind, ending the tournament at even par.

Nelly Korda’s remarkable run of five consecutive victories has etched her name in the annals of LPGA history, solidifying her status as one of the game’s most dominant forces. As she basks in the glory of her latest triumph, the golfing world eagerly awaits the next chapter in her meteoric rise, anticipating more history-making moments from this extraordinary talent.