05/20/2024
Amazing Champion
Korda claims sixth title
World number one Nelly Korda continued her exceptional year, securing her sixth LPGA Tour victory with a win at the Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National on Sunday.
Korda battled with Australian Hannah Green throughout the final round in Jersey City, ultimately winning by one stroke after Green bogeyed the final hole.
Korda's one-under-par round of 71 sealed the victory. The 25-year-old American missed a record sixth consecutive title at the Founders Cup last week, but she rebounded despite a challenging front nine, which included three bogeys and a birdie. She recovered with birdies on the 10th, 13th, and 15th holes.
Entering the final hole, Korda and Green were tied. Green's tee shot landed in the left rough, while Korda safely found the fairway. Green's second shot ended in the rough near the greenside bunker. She eventually reached the green but left herself a 15-foot putt. Korda's birdie putt came up just short, leaving Green with a putt to force a playoff. Green missed, resulting in a bogey.
"Oh my gosh, six, I mean, I just can't even really gather myself now after that head-to-head that Hannah and I had pretty much all day," Korda said. "It wasn't my best stuff out there today but fought really hard on the back nine."
Reflecting on her performance, Korda added, "I feel like you never have your A-game throughout an entire tournament. You kind of have to grind through it even with your B, C, and D game. I definitely felt like I had my C and D game today. Didn't really play that well. Just told myself that even though I was 2-over, I still had opportunities on the back nine to take the lead or to battle with Hannah, because she was playing solid golf."
Korda is the first player since Park In-bee in 2013 to win six times in a single season and the first American to do so since Beth Daniel won seven titles in 1990. She matched Annika Sorenstam and Nancy Lopez's all-time record win streak of five when she won last month's Chevron Championship.
Korda's historic victory run began at January's Drive On Championship in her hometown of Bradenton, Florida, followed by wins at the Seri Pak and Ford championships in March, and the Match Play tournament in April.
Hannah Green, who won the LA Championship last month, remained positive despite the setback. "I mean, to lose to Nelly, it's sad, but then it's also Nelly Korda. You know, like she's obviously so dominant right now. To feel like second behind her is quite nice," Green said. "Unfortunately, the bogey on the last has a little bit of a sour taste, but I still competed out there when I didn't really think I was in it at all."
The Thai pair of Chanettee Wannasaen and Ariya Jutanugarn, along with American Jennifer Kupcho and Australian Gabriela Ruffels, tied for third, finishing four strokes behind Korda.
