Nelly Korda Dominates Riviera Maya with Overwhelming Victory, Reaches 18 LPGA Titles – the Youngest American to Achieve This Since 1980!
American women’s golf star Nelly Korda has once again impressed the sports world by clinching a four-stroke victory at the Riviera Maya Open in Mayakoba, Mexico, bringing her total to 18 titles on the LPGA Tour. At just 27 years old, Korda has become the youngest American since Nancy Lopez in 1980 to reach this historic milestone in her brilliant career.
This triumph comes shortly after her dominant win at the season’s first major, reinforcing her status as the overwhelming favorite for the season. Nelly Korda has been impressive this campaign, never finishing lower than second place in the six tournaments she has played so far. With three victories, she has only ceded ground to two competitors: Hyo Joo Kim, who defeated her twice, and Lauren Coughlin.
“I’m having so much fun and I love the competition,” Korda confessed after the decisive round when asked if she is playing the best golf of her life. In 2024, the American has won six of her first eight tournaments, showcasing a rare consistency and talent.
The current world number one arrived directly from the Chevron Championship in Houston to Mexico, where she took the opportunity to relax on Sunday with tacos and guacamole on the beach before returning to training with full force. “When you play so many weeks in a row, time flies. The most important thing is to manage your energy and not forget the gym to activate the right muscles and avoid injuries,” revealed Korda, who played nine holes on Tuesday and Wednesday, complemented by gym sessions to keep her body in shape.
This dominance is so rare that only three players in LPGA history have won by five or more strokes after winning a major: Lorena Ochoa (11 strokes in 2008), Louise Suggs (9 strokes in 1952), and Se Ri Pak (9 strokes in 1998). Korda closed the tournament with a score of 69 on the final day, finishing 17 under par and leading by as much as seven strokes in the final round.
The revelation of the tournament was Thai player Arpichaya Yubol, who secured solo second place on her 24th birthday, with her father accompanying her on every shot. Ranked outside the top 180 in the world, Yubol described the experience of playing alongside Korda in the final round as “a dream come true.”
In a field of 125 participants, where many of the top players opted to rest, Korda was one of only three athletes from the top 20 present and the only season winner competing, taking the opportunity to solidify her prominent position.
Also noteworthy is veteran Brianna Do, 36, who secured a solo fourth place and her qualification for the upcoming U.S. Women’s Open, following a consistent performance and a final round of 71 strokes. “I believe my best golf is yet to come, even though I am one of the more experienced players,” she stated emotionally.
Rookie Melanie Green surprised everyone by starting the week with a hole-in-one and finishing in the top 10, while Maria José Marín, the recent champion of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and originally from Mexico, shone with a fifth-place finish, earning essential points for her LPGA card. Marín declined to play in the Chevron Championship to focus on this event, showcasing her determination and rising talent.
In a critical moment, Korda made a rare mistake on the final hole, having to play a provisional shot and ultimately finishing with a bogey, her second of the week. Nevertheless, her exuberant celebration reflected the magnitude of the achievement.
In addition to the trophy, Korda received a monetary prize of $375,000, bringing her career earnings to nearly $19 million, and she accumulated 23 of the 27 points needed to secure entry into the LPGA Hall of Fame.
Accompanied by her fiancé, the champion described Mayakoba as “a piece of paradise” and confessed to being “completely stuffed with tacos,” promising a food break after the Mexican culinary marathon.
After a week of rest, Korda is preparing to return to competition from May 14 to 17 at the Kroger Queen City Classic in Cincinnati. Before that, she is looking forward to a body sculpting class – a type of hot yoga that promises to help her recover from two intense weeks without sweating.
Nelly Korda continues her impressive trajectory, dominating the women’s circuit and proving that she is far from reaching her peak. Golf will never be the same!
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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