Nelly Korda wins opener of LPGA’s controversially shortened season

Nelly Korda is back in the winner’s circle, although not in the way she or the LPGA predicted. to start the 2026 season.

Korda, world number 2 who went winless in 2025won the Tour of Champions at Hilton Grand Vacations after the LPGA shortened the season-opening event at Lake Nona to 54 holes. Despite initially planning a late start to the final round, the LPGA ultimately decided to shorten the TOC due to the lack of an “optimal competitive environment for a professional event”. The Orlando area has been buffeted by sub-freezing temperatures all week and play was suspended Saturday due to high winds.

The LPGA made the call to shorten the event around noon ET on Sunday, saying the eight players who did not complete all three rounds would resume play to complete their third round and then the tournament would be called.

“Play will continue with Lake Nona becoming playable in competitive conditions at its peak temperature, but conditions will worsen later today and tomorrow, making it difficult to complete the 72 holes,” the LPGA said in a statement.

The LPGA’s decision to shorten the tournament to 54 holes, rather than play it on Sunday or move it to Monday or Tuesday, leaves many question marks.

While the pros had their 54-hole tournament, the celebrities who played the pro-am portion played nine holes on Sunday. The decision left Lake Nona resident and LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam, who played like a celebrity in the tournament, perplexed.

“I don’t know why they’re not playing,” Sorenstam said Beth Ann Nichols of Golfweek on sunday. “There are signs from the field. I mean, I hit some fresh shots today and the ball even stopped. I’m surprised. It’s tough, it’s cold but it’s as fair as anything. I told JR we can keep going.”

According to Nichols, an LPGA official said the celebrities were allowed to compete Sunday because they are playing in “an exhibition,” despite there being a purse for the amateur portion of the competition.

When Golf Channel’s Amy Rogers asked an LPGA official for details on how the cold weather was “affecting the ball and the golf course,” the official could not provide specifics.

Temperatures in Orlando on Sunday and Monday are forecast to be 24 and 26 degrees respectively. But the forecast no longer called for strong winds, which halted play on Saturday, and Monday is expected to see a high of 53 degrees.

The LPGA does not play again until Feb. 19 in Thailand. Korda isn’t expected to play again until mid-March, meaning it will be more than a month before fans get to watch him hit another shot. Given the time between the first two tournaments of the season, the LPGA’s decision to shorten the Champions Tour to 54 holes seems premature, to say the least. A Monday or Tuesday finish (a maximum of 63 is expected) would likely have been welcomed by the players.

“I’m sorry we’re not playing tomorrow,” Lydia told Ko Nichols.

Danielle Kang posted on Instagram on Sunday, asking fans for their opinion on the decision to cut the tour short.

after month with positive momentum under new commissioner Craig Kessler, the LPGA season got off to a rocky start at Lake Nona, at best.

Nelly Korda won, but did so while within driving distance, as the league shortened the tournament while the greatest player ever was on the course calling it “playable.” With 18 days between tours and their biggest draw leads, the LPGA would have been smart to find a way to get into the final round.

Korda’s 64 Saturday was an impressive round. According to Golf Channel’s Grant Boone, Korda beat the field scoring average by nine strokes. But she also left more than an hour ahead of the leaders, benefiting from a better weather draw. Everyone from fans to the LPGA to Nelly Korda would have benefited from watching the game’s biggest stars battle it out, tough but playable elements trying to snap her winless drought.

Instead, the LPGA season began with 54 holes, a Nelly Korda victory, the term “optimal competitive environment” and a lot of questions.