BRADENTON, Fla. — It’s hard to imagine the LPGA getting off to a better start than its opening fortnight in Florida. Lydia Ko, of course, won the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at her home course, Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, putting to bed the worst year of her career in 2023.
One week later, Nelly Korda won 15 minutes from her parents’ home in Bradenton, Florida, in front of a hometown crowd at the LPGA Drive On Championship. Korda staged a brilliant late-round comeback to beat Ko in a two-hole playoff, denying the Kiwi the 27th and final point needed to qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame.
It was an electric finish, even if it did overlap the NFL playoffs.
Here are five takeaways from the day: