LPGA TOUR
Korda Wins Mizuho Americas Open. Hannah Green Runner Up
World No. 1 Nelly Korda has gained her sixth LPGA Tour win this season after just eight starts. The 25-year-old American held off Australia’s Hannah Green by one shot for victory at the Mizuho Americas Open staged at Liberty National Golf Club, New Jersey. It was Korda’s 14th career LPGA Tour title. She is the first player since Korea’s Inbee Park in 2013 to capture six wins in a single LPGA Tour season. And, Korda is the first American to achieve that feat since Beth Daniel in 1980.
Korda started the final round two shots ahead of Green. Both players were tied at the top of the leaderboard at the turn after Korda dropped two shots over the front nine. Green covered the opening nine holes in even par. The final nine holes produced a shootout between the two leaders who matched birdies at the 10th, 13th and 15th holes and pars at the 11th, 12th, 14th, 16th and 17th holes. The result of the tournament came down to the 72nd hole with Korda’s par outlasting Green, who posted a bogey.
Korda scored rounds of 70, 68, 65 and 71 to get to 14-under.
Green finished one shot back at 13-under and in solo second place. The 27-year-old from Perth was looking for her third LPGA Tour win this season after collecting the HSBC Women’s World Championship in March and the JM Eagle LA Championship in April.
Four players including Australia’s Gabriela Ruffels took a share of third place at 10-under. Ruffels, who is enjoying her rookie LPGA Tour season, fired an even par final round for her third top 3 finish this year.
The LPGA Tour moves to Pennsylvania for next week’s US Women’s Open to be staged at Lancaster Country Club. America’s Allison Corpuz is the defending champion.
Final Scores
1. Nelly Korda -14
2. Hannah Green -13
T3. Chanettee Wannasaen -10
T3. Ariya Jutanugarn -10
T3. Jennifer Kupcho -10
T3. Gabriela Ruffels -10
Other Australians
T21. Minjee Lee -7
T51. Karis Davidson +1
T51. Sarah Kemp +1
T53. Stephanie Kyriacou +2
MC. Grace Kim
MC. Robyn Choi
Image credit: Sarah Stier/Getty Images
