JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Nelly Korda propelled her path to her first major championship on Sunday with a performance worthy of her new status as the No. 1 player in women’s golf.
Korda almost drilled 7 wood holes from 243 yards for the Tap-In Eagle. And the 22-year-old American took control using her length from that graceful swing for another Eagles who sent her to victory in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
She finished with a 15-foot par putt for 4-under 68, giving her a three-match win over Lizette Salas at the Atlanta Athletic Club.
At 19-under par 269, she last set a women’s PGA record with par by Inbee Park at Westchester Country Club in 2015.
Korda won for the second consecutive week on the LPGA Tour, her third this year. And enough to become the first American to number 1
in the women’s world rankings since Stacy Lewis in 2014, Jin Young Ko held the 1st spot for nearly two years.“I worked really hard,” Korda said, “to get three wins under my belt and get a major. I don’t even have a word to say.”
Her only mistake came when it didn’t matter.
Korda seized control with iron into par 5 at 12 for an 8-foot Eagle putt, a three-shot swing as Salas, who had to lie on the hole – hit a wedge on the green into the bunker and bogey.
Korda birdied an 18-foot putt on No. 14 to extend her lead to five shots with four holes to play. She finished 49 consecutive holes without bogeys by hitting the water on the 15th hole. par 3 to double bogey
But she treated herself with a pair of pars. And play it carefully in a hole that closes the par 5 above the water.
Salas closed out with 71 in her bid to win her first title and her first LPGA Tour title in seven years.
Jessica, Korda’s older sister was one of the first who embraced her on the 18th green as tears began to flow And soon the newest major champion was topped with champagne.
Jessica Korda finished much earlier – they hugged while Nelly was teeing off. And Jessica turned around – although the eldest siblings had other reasons to celebrate. She easily held America’s fourth place for the Olympics in Japan.
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