The LPGA Tour made a stop in Orlando, Florida at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club for the Gainbridge LPGA. Madelene Sagstrom of Sweden won the inaugural event last year with a score of –17.
First Round
Lydia Ko got off to a hot start, recording an eagle on the par four first hole. She continued to solid play throughout and finished with a seven-under par 65. She held a two-shot lead over Nelly Korda and Nanna Koertz Madsen. A group of seven, including Jennifer Kupcho and number one player Jin Young Ko were two off the paced. Jeongeun Lee6, Cristie Kerr, Sophia Popov, Lexi Thompson, Jessica Korda, and Brooke Henderson were among those within six shots of the lead. LPGA Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam, making her first appearance in nearly 13 years, played very solidly with the exception of a triple-bogey on number five. She finished three-over and was tied for 77th.
Second Round
Looking for her first win in nearly three years, Ko maintained the lead at the halfway point after a three-under par round. She held a one-shot lead over Nelly Korda, who had seven birdies and three bogeys for a round of 68. Ryann O’Toole had a very similar round as Korda and was lurking just two shots back. In Gree Chun was in the mix at minus-seven and three were tied at minus six. Stacy Lewis and Lexi Thompson headlined a group of eight at five-under par. Annika Sorenstam accomplished her biggest goal for the week by making the cut after a round of 71. Defending champion MadaleneSagstrom rebounded from a 77 to shoot a 69 to make the cut on the number. Notables that missed the cut include Danielle Kang, Gaby Lopez, and Celine Boutier.
Third Round
Lydia Ko failed to maintain her lead after an even par round left her three shots behind Nelly Korda, who posted a round of 68 to finish 13-under par. Patty Tavatanakit, 21-year-old from Thailand got into contention after a six-under par round of 66. Angel Yin posted a stellar round of 65 that included five birdies and an eagle on the back nine. She was tied with Lydia Ko and Jin Young Ko at three off the pace. Chella Choi, Lexi Thompson, and Brooke Henderson remained within striking distance. Unfortunately for Ryann O’Toole, she stumbled to a 77 and fell well back of the leaders. Annika Sorenstam struggled to a round of 79 and was at plus-nine.
Final Round
Nelly Korda recorded three birdies over the first seven holes and put it into cruise control the rest of the way. After 11 consecutive pars, she finished with a round of 69 and a total of 16-under par. That was good enough for a three-shot victory, the fourth of her LPGA Tour career. Lexi Thompson eagled the 11th and finished tied with Lydia Ko for second, who birdied four straight on the back nine. Jin Young Ko had an up and down round with four birdies and three bogeys and finished sole possession of fourth place. Sarah Kemp and Patty Tavatanakitfinished six shots back and Angel Yin was seven back after a round of 73. A large group were at minus-eight, including Jenny Shin, Sophia Popov and Stacy Lewis. The return of Annika Sorenstam ended with a round of 76. Although she finished last in the field with a score of 13-over par, Sorenstam amazed everyone by making the cut at the age of 50 after not playing a competitive round on the LPGA Tour in nearly 13 years.
Coming Up
The LPGA Tour remains in Florida next week at the Inaugural LPGA Drive on Championship presented by Volvik. The event will take place at the Golden Ocala Golf Club which is a par 72 layout of 6852 yards. A purse of $1,500,000 is at stake as well as 500 points towards the Race to the CME Globe.
