Yang Heeyoung Finishes Runner-up... "Hates the Cold Snap"

Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament Shortened to 54 Holes Due to Severe Weather
Yang Heeyoung Even Par on Remaining Two Holes After Play Suspended by Strong Winds
Korda Claims Victory, Lydia Ko Finishes Fourth, Hwang Yoomin Ties for Fifth

Yang Heeyoung was unable to seize a comeback opportunity due to a cold snap in the United States.

On February 1 (local time), at the Lake Nona Golf & Country Club (par 72, 6,624 yards) in Orlando, Florida, Yang played the remaining two holes of the third round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions (TOC), the opening event of the 2026 LPGA Tour season, but was unable to improve her score. She finished as runner-up with a total of 10-under-par 206. She recorded pars on the 17th hole (par 3) and the final 18th hole (par 4).

Yang Heeyoung is teeing off at the 1st hole of the 3rd round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. Orlando=AFP Yonhap News

Yang was aiming for her seventh career victory in the final fourth round, following her last major win at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship in June 2024, but was thwarted by severe weather. The tournament was suspended the previous day due to strong winds, and on this day, the start was delayed because of sub-zero temperatures. As a result, the LPGA Tour reduced the tournament from 72 holes over four days to a 54-hole event.

World No. 2 Nelly Korda (USA) claimed a fortunate victory with a 13-under-par 203. Having surged ahead with a 6-under-par 66 the previous day to take a three-shot lead, she secured the title as the tournament was shortened due to the cold wave. This marked her 16th career win and her first in one year and three months since the Annika Driven event in November 2024, earning her a winner's prize of $315,000 (approximately 450 million won). Korda swept an impressive seven victories in the 2024 season, but did not win any tournaments last year.

Brooke Henderson (Canada) finished third at 7-under-par 209, Lydia Ko (New Zealand) was fourth at 6-under-par 210, and Hwang Yoomin, who debuted on the LPGA Tour this year, tied for fifth at 5-under-par 211. World No. 1 Jin Young Ko (Thailand) tied for seventh at 4-under-par 212. Last year's champion Kim A Lim, along with Yoo Haeran and Lee Somi, tied for ninth at 3-under-par 213, while Lim Jinhee finished 33rd at 7-over-par 223.