Nelly Korda won the shortened Hilton Grand Vacations Club Championship for her first LPGA title in more than a year.

World No. 2 Korda has not won a trophy since Annika in November 2024, and he didn’t even need to pick up a club to break that drought when the championship was shortened to 54 holes in cold and windy conditions in Florida on Sunday.

The American shot an 8-under 64 on a cold Saturday to move to 13-under at the Lake Nona Championship and take the lead in the tournament.

South Korea’s Amy Yang was the only player with a chance to catch her after the decision to shorten the tournament, and with two holes to play on Sunday, she was three shots behind at 10 under.

But even so, Korda needed just four strokes to get around the par-3 17th and par-4 18th — barring a hole-in-one and a birdie, or an eagle, in which case the victory would be Korda’s — and it proved to be her 16th career LPGA Tour victory and first in the season opener.

“I got off to a good start,” she said of her third and final round. “Birdieed the first two holes and then eagled from the fairway on No. 3, so I can’t complain about starting my round that way.

“I knew the conditions were going to be tough, so getting a good start really helped.

“Overall, I stayed really focused and highly committed to my line. With wind and conditions like this, it’s easy to doubt yourself and your line. I just made sure I was 100 percent committed.”

Young finished the final two holes in a regular seven-stroke on Sunday, meaning she finished second in the championship at 10 under, while Brooke Henderson was third behind after finishing her round on Saturday with a 66.

England’s Lottie Woad was tied for the lead after 36 holes with 2024 Olympic gold medalist Lydia Ko, but five bogeys on a windy third day derailed her attack and ended up tied for seventh, two strokes behind New Zealand’s Ko, who finished fourth at 6 under.

Korda happy to return to winning ways after battling difficult conditions

The victorious Korda joined 2021 champion sister Jessica as winners of the event and was delighted to win despite the challenging conditions.

There have been some questions raised over the 27-year-old’s form after a disappointing and winless 2025, but she is delighted to have proven the doubters wrong after starting the new year in ideal fashion.

“It feels great,” she said. “I’m really proud of how Jason (McDade, her caddy) and I handled the conditions yesterday.

“To my team, I wouldn’t be here without them. We’re all part of the puzzle. I wouldn’t be where I am without them. So grateful.”

She had seven birdies and an eagle as a 17-year-old, then told reporters the tough conditions put her in “survival mode.”

“Thursday and Friday were obviously completely different than Saturday, but overall I was really happy with my game,” Korda said.

“I think I saved the best for last. The first game of the season is always tough. You’re working on it and you’re testing it, but in the end you get that trophy.”

What to do next?

The LPGA Tour next heads to Asia with the Honda LPGA Thailand, which will be held at Siam Country Club from February 19-22 and broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or NOW live broadcast without contract.

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