Nelly Korda had a last-ditch late performance at the LPGA Drive On Championship in Florida on Sunday, dramatically taking a victory in her hometown and beating Lydia Ko in a playoff to extend the wait for the New Zealander to be inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame.
With two holes remaining and three shots behind Korda, the Bredenton-born Korda's hopes of victory at Bradenton Country Club appeared to have been dashed after bogey, double bogey, bogey, bogey. Birdie the Eagle to tie with opponents at 11-under par and enter the playoff.
After the two players added the first hole, world No. 9 Ke saw her efforts in the 18th rematch, and Koda's attempt really drove the local crowd crazy.
The amount of support I've received this week has been incredible," Koda told reporters.
I am very grateful for this and very surprised that so many people came**. They left me inside. I didn't think I had a chance and then obviously an eagle on the 17th hole, and I knew I needed a birdie on the 18th hole to stand a chance of making the playoffs.
Just wow. Very good ol'Nelly fashion makes it dramatic. ”
The win marked Khoda's ninth title on the LPGA Tour and her first since defending her Pelican Women's title in November 2022. The $262,500 prize money brings her to the $9 million mark in her LPGA Tour career.
The world No. 4 golfer hopes the victory can be a springboard for her only major event – the 2021 Women's PGA Championship, although the golfer is aiming for some less stressful results – especially given that sister and LPGA Tour star Jessica Korda was looking forward to her first child earlier this year.
She (Jessica) said, 'I thought you were going to give me birth!' Korda said with a smile.
Thankfully, the baby was still in the belly, so we were all right. ”
After winning her 20th LPGA Tour title at the Hilton Club Championship last week, Ko looks close to winning her 21st Tour title, automatically qualifying for the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame.
The 26-year-old's next win would make her the first player to automatically enter the Hall of Fame since South Korea's Park Park, who became the youngest-ever inductee in 2016 at the age of 27.
It's kind of like, what can you do? We did our best until the end and we made the playoffs. Gao told reporters.
All I can do is play the best golf I can and keep giving myself a chance and hopefully [the Hall of Fame] will make it happen." ”