Nelly Korda became the first two-time winner on the LPGA Tour this season, shutting with a 5-under 67 on Sunday for a two-stroke victory in the Meijer LPGA Classic.
The Gainbridge LPGA victor in February, Korda completed at 25-under 263 to break the competition record at Blythefield Country Club. She shot a career-best 62 on Saturday to take a three-stroke lead into the last round.
“Actually, really enjoyed today,” Korda said. “Honestly, there has been times where on Sundays I really like haven’t enjoyed it, like the stress kind of ate me and I didn’t stay in the moment and enjoy playing golf on a Sunday in a final group.
“But today I really enjoyed it and it was actually a really good battle between Leona and I. She definitely kept me on my toes.”
The 22-year-old American, ranked No. 4 on the world, won her fifth tour title. She bounced back in the wake of missing the cut fourteen days prior in the U.S. Ladies’ Open.
“If you told me at the U.S. Open that I was going to shoot 25 under I would be like, `Yeah, right.’” Korda said. “But I did a good bit of work back home. My dad was at every practice, a little boot camp with my dad.”
She won the Gainbridge LPGA in Florida in the second event of the year after sister Jessica took the season-opening tournament. More youthful sibling Sebastian won tennis’ Emilia-Romagna Open in Italy in May for his first ATP Tour triumph.
Leona Maguire of Ireland was second after a 66.
“I knew it was going to be a battle,” Maguire said. “I knew I had a lot of golf in front of me and she had a three-shot head start.”
Korda eagled the standard 5 fourteenth and had six birdies and three bogeys. She pushed her lead to two strokes with the eagle and expanded it to three with a birdie on the standard 3 15th. Maguire pulled inside one on the standard 4 16th when she made a birdie and Korda had an bogey. The two of them parred the standard 4 17th and Korda birdied the standard 5 18th.
“I made an eagle and then I made a pretty good birdie on that par 3,” Korda said. “Unfortunately, I three-putted the next hole, but that’s golf. You’re going to make mistakes.”
The major KPMG Women’s PGA Championship is one week from now at Atlanta Athletic Club.
“This week is going to be huge heading into a major,” Maguire said. “I knew I was playing some great golf. It’s a huge confidence boost for the rest of the season.”
In Gee Chun shot a 63 to tied for third with Brittany Altomare (64) at 21 under. Anna Nordqvist followed at 20 under after a 66.
