More sibling history as Korda wins in Taiwan
Nelly Korda picked up her first trophy on the LPGA Tour as she claimed a two-stroke victory at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship.
In doing so, Nelly and her sister Jessica join the Sorenstams and Jutanugarns as the only sibling winners in the tour’s history.
The 20-year-old younger sister put on a remarkable performance of front-running at Ta Shee Golf Club. She began the day tied at the top with the home-favourite Wei-Ling Hsu, and despite the Taiwanese taking the lead at the first hole, Korda replied with a birdie of her own at the 4th before rolling in a 10-foot eagle putt two holes later to hit the top of the leaderboard alone.
It was a position she would not relinquish for the remainder of the day, as Korda made another birdie at the 10th to push further ahead.
Minjee Lee exerted some late pressure, with the Australian making back-to-back birdies to close her round to get within two of the American, but Korda made no mistake as she closed the tournament out with complete composure.
When the win was confirmed with a tap-in par on the 18th, Korda was handed her phone with big sister Jessica live on screen via FaceTime.
“It was like Jess was right here with me,” Nelly said.
“She was just bawling. I lost it, too. I was crying because of all the emotions.
“Jess kept saying, ‘I’m so proud of you, I’m so proud of you, I’m so proud of you.’ It meant a lot to me.
“She’s like my best friend. To have her out here on tour, taking me under her wing, showing me the ropes and including me in everything, she made me the player I am today.”
Wonder how big sis @Thejessicakorda was reacting to @NellyKorda's first LPGA win? Here's your answer.
Jessica was watching from her home in Florida at 3:30 am.#SwingingSkirts pic.twitter.com/NYqDX2sUsb
— #CMEFinalStretch (@LPGA) October 28, 2018
With five wins on the LPGA, Jessica still has the bragging rights on Nelly, but after this stunning performance, it’s safe to say that Nelly is hot on her sister’s heels.
Behind Korda and Lee was Ryann O’Toole, who finished her round with four birdies in the final five holes, while Carlota Ciganda and Megan Khang rounded off the top-five. England’s Bronte Law managed a top-10 finish along with Lydia Ko.
Highlights
ICYMI: Final Round highlights from the #SwingingSkirts LPGA Championship where @NellyKorda took home the trophy and $330,000 winner's check. pic.twitter.com/1zVod0yPph
— #CMEFinalStretch (@LPGA) October 28, 2018
"It's a dream come true" ~ @NellyKorda talks about her first LPGA win at the #SwingingSkirts LPGA Taiwan Championship
Interview ==> pic.twitter.com/lo68tu8vk1
— #CMEFinalStretch (@LPGA) October 28, 2018
Spilkova holds Q-Series lead as amateurs impress
Klara Spilkova leads the way after the opening week of the LPGA Tour’s inaugural Q-Series.
The 23-year-old from the Czech Republic has a four-shot lead with four rounds of the tournament remaining.
The top-45 players at the conclusion of the tournament will secure LPGA membership for the 2019 season, with the likes of Mel Reid, Anne Van Dam, Jeong-Eun Lee and Cheyenne Woods all well-positioned as it stands.
But perhaps the biggest storyline so far has been the performance of the amateurs. Jaclyn Lee, Jennifer Kupcho, Lauren Stephenson, Maria Fassi and Kristen Gillman are all inside of the top-11 heading into the final 72 holes at Pinehurst.
Elsewhere, Wales’ Amy Boulden currently lies 87th after a fourth round 79 and has plenty of work to do if she is to secure her future in the States for next year.
Upcoming
The LPGA heads to Japan this week for the Toto Japan Classic – the penultimate stop on the Asian swing.
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