Nelly Korda secured her 16th LPGA Tour win at the 2026 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, finishing at 13-under par after the event was controversially reduced to 54 holes due to weather. The 27-year-old's third-round 64 proved decisive, edging out Amy Yang by three shots at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club. The decision to end play early drew criticism from players amid improving conditions.
The 2026 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, the LPGA's season opener, unfolded at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, Florida, from January 31 to February 2. Nelly Korda, entering her 10th season on tour, delivered a standout performance in the third round on Saturday, carding an 8-under 64 in challenging winds that forced suspension of play. "Yesterday was probably one of my best rounds I've ever played in my career," Korda said, reflecting on the round that included birdies on the first two holes, an eagle on the third, and five more birdies despite brutal conditions on the wind-swept 17th.
Korda's total score of 13-under 203 secured a three-shot victory over runner-up Amy Yang, marking her first win since November 2024 at The Annika and ending a winless 2025. The tournament, however, ended prematurely on Sunday after 54 holes, sparking controversy. LPGA officials canceled the final round citing cold temperatures in the mid-40s and hard fairways, despite reports of playable conditions. Yang, an Orlando resident, noted, "It got much better... It was playable." Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam, competing in the celebrity division, questioned the call: "I don’t know why they’re not playing... It’s difficult, it’s cold, but it’s fair as anything."
Nasa Hataoka, who completed her third round with a 4-over 76, expressed frustration: "I honestly thought we could play four rounds." Korda, earning $315,000, defended the decision: "I think the LPGA made the decision to look after their players, and we can’t do anything about that." The win, witnessed by her fiancé Casey Gunderson and family for the first time, boosted Korda's 20 LPGA Hall of Fame points. She will skip the Asian swing, returning for the Founders Cup on March 19-22 in California.
