Thitikul walked away with all the goods in south-western Florida, even with an achy wrist that started to bother her last week; the huge cheque, the tournament title, the scoring record and LPGA Player of the Year honours.
It looked like Korda’s best option would be to play to the left, find the centre of the green and take the long birdie putt. Apparently she saw another line.
It’s almost unfathomable that Korda – ranked second in the world – has yet to win after a seven-victory season where she tied a record for winning five straight.
Early headlines at The Annika LPGA event were dominated by 18-year-old Kai Trump and WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark – to the point that Nelly Korda’s return to the course for her first start in six weeks became a secondary story. It’s not often that the 27-year-old is the understudy.
For Kai Trump, the 18-year-old granddaughter of US President Donald Trump who was thrust into the spotlight as a sponsor invite for The Annika LPGA event, she was truly just happy to be there.
Lottie Woad is on such a tear that you can count one of the world’s top players as a big fan. Lydia Ko is so impressed with the 21-year-old phenom from England that she’s been watching videos of her swing and trying to gain some tips.
It’s mid-June and the LPGA Tour has had 15 different winners. It’s the first time since 2017 that the tour has gone this long without a multiple winner.
Turns out Korda sustained neck spasms after hitting out of the rough on the front nine at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco during Monday’s practice round.
Nelly Korda has categorised her relationship with the US Women’s Open as “complicated.” She believes she’s more emotional about this major because the first time she played in it she was 14.