Nelly Korda Wins LPGA Opener After Cold Forces 54-Hole Finish

Nelly Korda won the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, the LPGA Tour's first event of 2026, on Sunday at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida. The win came after tournament officials shortened the event to 54 holes because extreme cold and high winds made the course unplayable for a full final round.

Background

The Tournament of Champions brings together winners from the previous season and a group of celebrities. It kicked off the LPGA calendar at Lake Nona, a course known for its challenging layout amid Florida's usual mild weather. This year, though, Central Florida saw rare freezing temperatures dipping below zero in spots, paired with gusts up to 40 miles per hour. Players faced brittle ground and greens that stayed frozen even as the day warmed slightly.

Korda, the world number two, entered the week without a win since November 2024. She had a strong 2024 with seven victories but went winless through all of 2025. Her game showed signs of returning in the early rounds. After a first-round 68 and second-round 71, she sat in contention. Saturday's conditions tested everyone, but Korda pulled ahead with a brilliant performance.

The cold hit hardest on the weekend. Saturday play stopped late when wind blew a player's ball off the 17th green. Officials delayed Sunday's restart multiple times, checking the course conditions. Shaded areas remained frozen, and balls rolled unpredictably on practice greens. In the end, they called the tournament after players finished their third rounds.

Key Details

Korda's third round stood out. She shot an eight-under-par 64, finishing her 54 holes at 13-under 203. That score beat the field average by more than nine strokes that day. She ended the tournament three shots clear of Amy Yang, who finished at 10-under 206 after parring her last two holes.

Brooke Henderson took third place alone at seven-under. Lydia Ko ended one shot back in fourth. Korda earned $315,000 from the $2.1 million purse, her 16th career LPGA title. She also picked up 500 points toward the Race to the CME Globe.

Weather's Impact on Play

Saturday brought the worst of it. Winds whipped across the exposed final holes, making shots hard to control. Korda completed her round just before the horn sounded to suspend play. Yang, on the 17th tee then, returned Sunday afternoon to finish. Eight players still had holes left in round three.

LPGA rules official Jen Lasky explained the tough call. The group checked with tournament staff, partners, and grounds crews. They waited for peak temperatures but found shaded spots still frozen. Balls moved on their own during practice, and greens felt like concrete to some.

"We really tried to take as much time as we possibly could to get all 72 holes into play," Lasky said. "We certainly did everything we could. We really wanted to ensure that the competition was up to championship caliber."

Celebrity players, like Mardy Fish who won his division, played a shortened nine-hole final round. Fish shot even par to win by five points. Conditions improved a bit midway through their play, but pros faced a different standard for fairness.

Korda called her 64 one of her top three rounds ever. She practiced Sunday anyway, unsure of the final decision. Yang said greens felt unplayable early but better later. Still, officials stuck with the 54-hole format.

What This Means

Korda's victory snaps a long dry spell and starts her season strong. As world number two, she now looks to build momentum ahead of the next LPGA stop in Thailand from February 19-22. The win boosts her standing in the season-long points race, key for making the CME Group Tour Championship in November.

For the LPGA, the weather decision raises questions about rare cold snaps in Florida. Players like Yang had slim chances to catch up, but finishing third rounds kept things fair for those done early. Korda benefited from her early Saturday tee time, when winds eased slightly. Critics note it denied fans a full battle from the star, but officials prioritized safe, even conditions.

The event showed golf's vulnerability to weather, even in warm climates. Lake Nona's layout, with open final holes, amplified the wind issues. Korda's low score in tough spots highlights her skill. She returns to action rested, with confidence high after ending the drought in such unusual fashion.

Yang stays near the top, her steady play earning second and good money. Henderson and Ko round out a strong field of past winners. The LPGA moves forward, adapting to whatever weather comes next. Korda's form suggests she could chase more titles this year, building on her past dominance.