Korda captures Chevron Championship for fifth straight LPGA win

World number one Nelly Korda, 25, achieved a remarkable feat by winning her fifth consecutive victory at the Chevron Championship. This victory not only secured her second major crown but also marked her 13th career tour triumph.

Korda's win streak of five titles in five starts equals the LPGA record set by Nancy Lopez in 1978 and matched by Annika Sorenstam from 2004/05.

Despite facing intense pressure on the back nine, Korda managed to maintain her lead and hold off her competitors at Carlton Woods in suburban Houston. This win earned her the top prize of $1.2 million (£968,800) in the first women's major tournament of the season.

Reflecting on her performance, Korda expressed relief, stating, "I can finally breathe now. That back nine felt like the longest back nine of my entire life." She acknowledged the challenges faced but expressed her happiness at securing the victory.

In the final round, the 25-year-old American shot a three-under-par 69, finishing with a total score of 13-under 275 after 72 holes. Maja Stark from Sweden finished second with a score of 277, followed by Lauren Coughlin from the United States and Brooke Henderson from Canada sharing third place with a score of 278. Ryu Hae-ran from South Korea secured fifth place with a score of 279 after closing with a 74.

Korda, whose father is former Czech tennis star Petr Korda, previously won her first major crown at the 2021 Women's PGA Championship and also claimed a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. This year, she has been on a winning streak, triumphing at the Drive On Championship in January, the Seri Pak and Ford championships last month, and the LPGA Match Play earlier this month.

When asked about her success, Korda attributed it to her simplicity and taking one shot at a time. She emphasized the importance of not overcomplicating the game of golf.

Despite some late complications during the tournament, including a missed green at the 10th hole, Korda managed to chip in for birdie and maintain a four-shot lead at 14-under. She faced her first bogey on the 11th hole but still held a three-shot lead over Ryu and Coughlin, who finished the front nine strongly with consecutive birdies.

Following a Saturday storm that interrupted play and brought 1.5 inches of rain overnight, Korda concluded her third round with seven pars, resulting in a score of 69. This tied her for second place with Henderson, just one stroke behind Ryu, who was the LPGA Rookie of the Year in the previous season.

On Sunday's final round, Korda swiftly took the lead as the three players formed the last group.

Ryu's start was marred by consecutive bogeys, causing her to drop from the top position. Henderson countered a bogey on the second hole with a birdie on the third, putting her at 10-under.

However, Korda managed to birdie the par-3 third hole from a distance of 15 feet and followed it up with another birdie on the par-5 fourth hole, giving her a two-stroke advantage at 12-under.

Despite a double bogey on the fourth hole, Henderson recovered with birdies on the fifth and sixth holes. Meanwhile, Korda extended her lead to three strokes at the turn by sinking a 14-foot birdie putt on the eighth hole, bringing her score to 13-under.