The LPGA Tour began the 2022 season with the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, Florida. This unique event consisted of a field of 29 players who won on tour over the past two seasons. In addition, a celebrity division took place, which included 72-time LPGA Tour winner Annika Sorenstam.
Last season Jessica Korda made a 25-foot birdie on the first hole of sudden-death playoff to take down Danielle Kang. The tournament was held at a par 72, 6617-yard layout. The purse was a lofty $1.5 million with 500 points towards the Race to the CME Globe for the winner.
First Round
Gaby Lopez took the early lead after a round of 67 which included six birdies and a bogey. She led by one of Ryann O’Toole, Danielle Kang, Nelly Korda, and Yuka Saso. PajareeeAnannarukarn of Thailand, Brooke Henderson of Canada, and Jessica Korda lurked two shots back at 3-under par. Despite an up-and-down round that included two bogeys, Stacey Lewis as in at 2-under, along with Madelene Sagstrom, Celine Boutier, and Patty Tavatanakit. Michelle Wie West, Inbee Park, and Lydia Ko were among five players at 1-under par. Notables well off the pace were Sophia Popov (Even), Matilda Castren (1-over), and Ariya Jutanugarn (2-over)
In the celebrity division, Annika Sorenstam shot a round of 75 and was the leader using the modified stableford scoring system with 33 points. Mark Mulder, Derek Lowe, Jeremy Roenick, and Chad Pfeifer were a point back. John Smotlz was in the mix with 31 points.
Second Round
Nelly Korda vaulted to the lead at the halfway point following a round of 66 that included seven birdies and a bogey. At 10-under par she held a one-shot lead over Danielle Kang and Gaby Lopez, who posted a round of 67. Jessica Korda got within two shots of her sister after a round of 78, while Celine Boutier and Brooke Henderson remained in the picture, just three shots off the lead. Also making some noise in the second round was Inbee Park, who posted a 5-under par round and she was tied with Yuka Saso at 6-under. Matilda Castren equaled Nelly Korda’s round of the day and got back into the mix after a first round of 73. Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn were both over par at the midway point, and Michelle Wie West struggled to a 78 and was at 5-over.
Derek Lowe took the lead in the celebrity division with 69 points. Annika Sorenstam shot at 73 and was one-point back. Lurking were Mardy Fish with 65 points, and Chad Pfeifer with 64 points.
Third Round
Scores remained solid in the third round despite cold and windy conditions. Nelly Korda stayed on top after a round of 69 put her at 13-under par. Danielle Kang and Gaby Lopez continued to keep the pressure on Korda and were just one shot off the pace. Brooke Henderson and Yuka Saso both shot rounds of 68 and were at 11-under and 10-under, respectively. Celine Boutier of France played a solid round and quietly remained within striking distance at 9-under par. Jessica Korda had an inconsistent round of three birdies and three bogeys and was five shots back. Others with rounds of 68 included PajareeAnannarukarn and Lydia Ko, but both were well off the pace with 18 holes to play.
Annika Sorenstam headed into the final round in the celebrity division with a two-point leads after a round of 72 and 104 total points. Derek Lowe posted a 75 and had 102 points, while Mardy Fish (100 points) and Chad Preifer (97 points) remained in striking distance.
Final Round
Scoring conditions were extremely difficult and only three players posted rounds in the 60s. One was Danielle Kang, who ran off five birdies over a seven-hole stretch from 9 through 15. She finished with a round of 68 and 16-under par total. The victory was her sixth on the LPGA Tour. Kang finished three shots clear of Brooke Henderson, four shots ahead of Gaby Lopez and six shots clear of Celine Boutier and Nelly Korda, who shot a round of 75. Yuka Saso, Jessica Korda, PajareeAnannarukarn, Inbee Park, Matilda Castren, and Lydia Ko rounded out the top ten.
In the celebrity division, Annika Sorenstam and Derek Lowe were tight all day long. Sorenstam ran off a few birdies on the back nine, while Lowe was consistent all round. Sorenstam made a par to tie on the 18th. Lowe won in a playoff. Mark Mulder finished third, followed by Chad Pfeifer and Jeremy Roenick for a tie for 5th.
Coming Up
The LPGA Tour heads to the Boca Rio Golf Club in Boca Raton, Florida for the Gainbridge LPGA. This 72-hole event takes place on a par 72 layout of 6701 yards. Last year, Nelly Kordan won her fourth LPGA Tour title in this event and first on American soil. The purse is a lofty $2 million with 500 points towards the Race to the CME Globe awarded to the winner.
