Nelly Korda secured her ninth career LPGA victory, and first of the 2024 season, at the LPGA Drive On Championship, edging Lydia Ko with a par on the second overtime hole at Bradenton Country Club.
Korda entered Sunday’s finale with a four-stroke lead, but after going bogey-double bogey-bogey (+4) on Nos. 14-16, the American star fell back to 8-under par and three off the lead of Lydia Ko with just two to play.
Korda, though, fought back to force a playoff, chasing an eagle on No. 17 with a birdie on 18.
The pair replayed No. 18 and after a couple of pars they returned to the 18th tee for a second extra hole. After their approach shots, Ko had a chance at a long birdie while Korda was off the back of the green. Ko, though, left her birdie putt short, and Korda chipped on about to about three feet. After Ko lipped out her par putt, Korda sealed her hometown win, knocking down the three-footer for par and victory.
“Every win has a story,” said Korda. “This one was definitely — just with the struggles of last year and just with today as well, I thought I completely lost it.
“Being in my hometown and having the hometown support was incredible. I didn’t think this many people would show up. Even on the first day, Thursday, the amount of people that were out here supporting was incredible. I couldn’t have done it without all their positive energy.”
Megan Khang finished solo third at 8-under par, one clear of Lucy Li, who earned her first top-10 finish as a member on the LPGA Tour, and Ayaka Furue at 7-under.
