Defending champion Korda seeks first win of season at Chevron

Posted : 23 April 2025

Nelly Korda enters the Chevron Championship with the goal of defending her title and securing her first win of 2025. While her early 2025 performance has been less remarkable compared to her dominant start in 2024, the world No. 1 remains unfazed. Korda's mentality is focused on the present rather than past achievements. "Last year is last year," she said as she prepared for the season's first major tournament at Carlton Woods in Houston. "This is a brand-new year, and what I accomplished last year is a memory no one can take away from me."

In 2024, Korda had a spectacular start, claiming five victories in five events, tying an LPGA Tour record. She went on to win seven titles that year, showcasing a dominant season. However, 2025 has been a different story. In her first five events this season, Korda has only secured two top-10 finishes. She chose to skip the LPGA's Asian swing after finishing second in the Tournament of Champions and tied for seventh in the Founders Cup earlier in the year.

Korda explained her decision to rest, saying she needed time away from the course. Despite a lackluster performance at the LA Championship, where she finished tied for 16th, she sees signs of improvement in her game. "I saw some improvements with my irons last week," she said, feeling more comfortable with her approach shots. However, her putting has been a challenge. "I'm not making as many putts this year as I did last year," Korda admitted, acknowledging that putting is the area where she’s struggled the most.

Korda’s struggles with her putter are a normal part of golf, she noted, recognizing the cyclical nature of the sport. "I've gone through waves like this before," she said, expressing confidence that with continued effort, her putting will improve. This year, unlike 2024, no player has emerged as a clear frontrunner in 2025, as the first eight LPGA events have each produced different winners, highlighting the competitive nature of the field.

The Chevron Championship will see 24 of the top 25 players in the world rankings competing, making for a challenging field. Among them is world No. 3 Lydia Ko of New Zealand, who has previously won the Chevron in 2016. Ko is coming off a victory at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore, marking her 23rd career title. Thai star Jeeno Thitikul, ranked No. 2, also enters the event with strong form, finishing second to Ko in Singapore. She’s yet to claim her first title of the year but has five top-10 finishes in six starts.

Another notable competitor is Lilia Vu, the fourth-ranked player and 2023 Chevron champion. Vu returns to the tournament after missing last year's event due to a painful back injury. Her recovery has been impressive, and she feels much better heading into this year's competition. Vu made a strong comeback last June at the Meijer LPGA Classic after months of struggling with her back.

The Chevron Championship promises to be an exciting contest with some of the best players in the world vying for the title. For Korda, it's a chance to get back on track and defend her crown while showing that her performance in 2025 can still rival her stellar 2024 season.

Defending champion Korda seeks first win of season at Chevron

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics