Nelly Korda secured her third successive LPGA Tour title with a commanding performance at the Ford Championship in Arizona this weekend - becoming the first LPGA Tour player in eight years to win three straight starts.
Facing a two-shot deficit at the beginning of the day, world number one Korda delivered a flawless bogey-free round, carding a sensational seven-under-par 65. With birdies on two of her final three holes, she set an imposing clubhouse target of 20 under, ultimately claiming victory in style.
While Australian rookie Hira Naveed put up a commendable challenge with a solid 66 to finish second at 18 under, American Lexi Thompson's hopes were dashed when her tee shot found water on the 16th hole, leading to a third-place finish.
Another round, another @NellyKorda highlight reel 🤷♀️
The world No. 1 continues her hot streak at the #FordChampionship 💪
WATCH ⬇️ https://t.co/CPf1ZUKYWZ— LPGA (@LPGA) March 29, 2024
“Just tried to stay really aggressive and I knew I had to shoot a low one to be in contention,” Korda said “Just played really smart golf out there today,” Korda said after her victory.
This latest triumph marks Korda's 11th Tour title and solidifies her status as one of the premier talents in women's golf. Korda is now the first player since Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn in 2018 to secure three consecutive LPGA Tour victories. The feat puts her in esteemed company alongside legends such as American Nancy Lopez (1978) and Sweden's Annika Sorenstam (2004-05), who each boast five consecutive wins.
Despite challenging weather conditions characterized by blustery winds and rain, European Solheim Cup players Carlota Ciganda of Spain and Maya Stark of Sweden put up a valiant fight, finishing joint third at 17 under.
This feels like deja vu... 🤪@NellyKorda takes home the trophy at the inaugural #FordChampionship!
FINAL LEADERBOARD ⬇️ https://t.co/4IB1VAdcPh— LPGA (@LPGA) April 1, 2024
Reflecting on her stellar performance, Korda said, "It’s very hard mentally to be 100% especially after a win, especially playing in tough conditions. So as boring as it sounds I was just taking it shot by shot and seeing where I was going to end up. To get three in a row, that’s just a dream come true."
Korda's remarkable winning streak began with victory at the Drive On Championship in January in her hometown of Bradenton (Florida), followed by a triumphant return at the Seri Pak Championship in California after a seven-week hiatus. With her exceptional talent and unwavering focus, she continues to dominate the world of women's golf, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
