American golfer Nelly Korda achieved an impressive feat on Sunday by winning her fifth consecutive tournament, including her second major title at the Chevron Championship. This victory also tied the LPGA Tour record for most consecutive wins.
The world's top-ranked player finished two shots ahead of Sweden's Maja Stark at Carlton Woods in Texas. Korda's final round score of three-under 69 was sufficient to lead the ****leaderboard with a total of 13-under overall.
Starting the year with eight LPGA Tour wins, Korda has now reached an impressive 13 victories in just a few months. This remarkable achievement makes the 25-year-old from Florida only the third LPGA player, alongside Nancy Lopez in 1978 and Annika Sörenstam in 2005, to secure five consecutive wins.
As she prepares to compete at the JM Eagle LA Championship in Los Angeles this week, Korda has the opportunity to make history with a sixth consecutive win by Sunday. But for now, it's time to savor the moment and take a well-deserved breath.
"It’s been a whirlwind of a couple of weeks, filled with some great golf," Korda shared with reporters, still feeling the excitement from her celebratory leap into the lake next to the 18th hole.
As she reflected on her performance, she admitted, "I could feel the nerves kicking in as I made my way through the back nine." Despite the pressure, Korda expressed, "Winning a major championship has always been a dream come true for me since I was a little girl."
“I can finally breathe now and just enjoy the moment because I was definitely really nervous. I feel sick to my stomach.”
Korda toasts her second career major.
Korda toasts her second career major.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
It was a well-deserved second major victory for Korda, who won her first at the Women’s PGA Championship in 2021.
Saturday’s play was cut short due to storm delays, so the American had to complete the final seven holes of her third round on Sunday.
Korda started the final round one shot behind the South Korean leader Ryu Hae-ran. However, she quickly made her move by birdieing four times in the first 10 holes to take the lead.
After 39 consecutive holes without a bogey, Korda finally dropped a shot at the following hole. Meanwhile, Stark, aged 24, was also putting together a strong performance, never scoring above par in the last 26 holes. She finished with two birdies to narrow Korda's lead to just one shot before the final tee.
Any signs of nervousness were not evident as Korda almost made an eagle from less than 30 feet away. She settled for a birdie and earned $1.2 million in prize money.
Korda is in the form of her life.
Korda is in the form of her life.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Korda had her most successful season in 2021, winning four LPGA Tour events. However, she faced challenges the following year due to surgery on a blood clot in her arm. This forced her to take a break from competitive play as she was worried about her health.
"I wasn't even considering competing during that time," Korda shared on Sunday.
I believe that the difficult times and health challenges I have faced have played a significant role in shaping the person I am today. These experiences have helped me grow and mature, and I am thankful for the lessons learned from both the highs and lows.
Editor's P/S:
Nelly Korda's remarkable winning streak is a testament to her exceptional talent and unwavering determination. Her ability to maintain such a high level of performance under immense pressure is truly impressive. Her victory at the Chevron Championship not only solidified her position as the world's top-ranked golfer but also etched her name in the history books alongside legendary players like Nancy Lopez and Annika Sörenstam.
Korda's journey to success has not been without its challenges. Her health issues last year forced her to take a break from the game, but she has returned with renewed focus and determination. Her resilience and ability to overcome adversity are inspiring, and her story serves as a reminder that even the greatest athletes face setbacks. As she prepares for the JM Eagle LA Championship, Korda has the opportunity to make history once again. Her quest for a sixth consecutive win will be eagerly watched by golf fans around the world, and her success would be a fitting tribute to her exceptional talent and unwavering spirit.