A dramatic late comeback from Nelly Korda enabled the American to beat Lydia Ko in a play-off and win the LPGA Drive On Championship in Florida.
Korda trailed Ko by three shots with two holes to play at Bradenton Country Clubbut eagled the 17th and birdied the last to join Ko on 11-under and force a play-off.
Both players made par on the first extra hole before Ko’s par putt at the second lipped out, leaving Korda to sink her six-foot putt for par to seal a ninth LPGA title.
“I honestly thought the tournament was over going into 17 and I just gave myself a chance,” said Korda, who had gone into Sunday’s final round with a four-shot lead before Ko had moved in front. “I knew if I rolled that eagle in, I had to birdie the last hole. I seem to always make it very dramatic and interesting and there’s no better feeling than to do it front of a home crowd.”
Korda’s victory denied Ko her chance of gaining automatic qualification for the LPGA Tour’s Hall of Fame. The New Zealander needs just one more victory to be invited to join that coveted group of players.
