Nelly Korda enters the season-ending LPGA Tour Championship as the favorite, aiming to secure her eighth title of the year and further cement her status as the LPGA Player of the Year. With already impressive achievements under her belt, including a record-breaking $4.16 million in earnings this season, Korda could also surpass the one-season LPGA winnings record if she finishes in the top five at the $11 million event in Naples, Florida. Reflecting on her remarkable year, Korda expressed gratitude for the highs and lows, emphasizing her passion for inspiring the next generation.
Korda's impressive season includes multiple wins, starting with the Drive On Championship in her hometown of Bradenton and followed by victories in the Pak Se-ri and Ford Championships in March. She went on to win the LPGA Match Play and the Chevron Championship in April, marking her second major win. Her success continued with a win at the Americas Open in May, followed by last week’s Annika title, solidifying her position as one of the top earners in LPGA history. With another top-five finish, she could break the record for single-season earnings.
Despite a setback due to a neck injury that sidelined her for nearly two months, Korda returned to the course last week and claimed the Annika title, motivating her to finish the season strong. She acknowledged the challenge of competing against the top talent in women’s golf, but noted that her hard work, alongside the support of her team, has paid off. The event at Tiburon Golf Club promises to be a strong finish for Korda, who has finished in the top five three times at this venue.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul, who holds the LPGA’s lowest scoring average of 69.54, will not win the Vare Trophy due to not completing enough rounds to qualify for the award. Despite this, she remains proud of her performance, highlighting that it’s the second consecutive year she’s led the scoring averages. The Vare Trophy race is now led by South Korea’s Ryu Hae-ran and Japan’s Ayaka Furue, while the LPGA Rookie of the Year battle is heating up between Japan’s Mao Saigo and South Korea’s Im Jin-hee.
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