Korda Loses in Overtime at Drive On Championship
Fails to Earn 1 Point for Hall of Fame Entry
Korda Celebrates 9th Career Win After 1 Year 2 Months
Lydia Ko (New Zealand) narrowly missed achieving back-to-back victories.
Lydia Ko is teeing off at the 5th hole of the 4th round of the Drive On Championship. [Bradenton, USA=Photo by AFP·Yonhap News]
On the 28th (local time) at the Bradenton Country Club in Florida, USA (par 71, 6,557 yards), during the final round of the LPGA Tour Drive On Championship (total prize money $1.75 million), she added 2 under par to tie with Nelly Korda (USA) at 11 under par 273. However, she conceded a 'winning par' on the second hole of the resumed playoff at the 18th hole (par 4). She missed out on her second win of the 2024 season and her 21st career victory, following her win last week at the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions (TOC).
Lydia Ko was able to earn the crucial '1 point' needed for induction into the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame awards 1 point for a regular tournament win, 2 points for a major championship win, and 1 point each for the Vare Trophy (lowest scoring average), Player of the Year, and Olympic gold medal. A total of 27 points is required for induction. Originally, there was a requirement of at least 10 years of LPGA Tour activity, but this was removed in 2022 when Lorena Ochoa (Mexico) was inducted. Korean players Park Seri and Park Inbee have been inducted.
Lydia Ko started from a tie for second place, 4 strokes behind, and carded 1 eagle, 4 birdies, 2 bogeys, and 1 double bogey. She had a shaky start with a double bogey on the 3rd hole (par 4), but then made 'stepping stone birdies' on the 4th and 6th holes, followed by consecutive birdies on the 10th and 11th holes to take the top spot on the leaderboard. However, her putting faltered on the 13th and 16th holes, costing her a stroke each and allowing a shared lead. On the 17th hole (par 5), she hit her second shot right next to the hole and made a 'tap-in eagle,' extending her lead to 3 strokes.
The strong finish from Korda, who had led for three consecutive days, was impressive. After struggling and losing 5 strokes over 16 holes, she dramatically forced a playoff with an eagle on the 17th hole and a birdie on the 18th hole. In the second playoff hole, Lydia Ko made a '3-putt bogey,' and Korda sealed the victory with a par putt. This marked Korda's 9th career win, her first in 1 year and 2 months since the Pelican Championship in November 2022, with a winner's prize of $262,500 (approximately 350 million KRW).
Megan Kang (USA) finished third at 8 under par 276. Among Korean players, Kim Seyoung posted the best result, tied for 13th at 3 under par 281. Choi Hyejin finished tied for 16th at 2 under par 282. Lee Somi, making her LPGA Tour debut, tied for 16th, and Sung Yujin tied for 35th at 2 over par 286. Last year's Rookie of the Year Yoo Hae-ran tied for 35th, and Jeon Inji finished tied for 63rd at 8 over par 292.
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