The LPGA Tour finished their early season Florida swing at the inaugural LPGA Drive on Championship Presented by Volvik at Golden Ocala. The ladies played for a purse of $1.5 million and 500 points to the CME Race to the Globe on a par 72 layout measuring 6,526 yards.
First Round
Nelly Korda picked up where she left off last week, firing a round of 67 which included five birdies and no bogeys. At five-under par, she was tied at the top with Jennifer Kupcho and Austin Ernst. They held a one-shot lead over Jing Yan and Jaye Marie Green. A group of ten, including Jeongeun Lee6, Jessica Korda, and Lydia Ko were lurking at two shots back. The great scoring continued down the leaderboard with 13 others including Patty Tavatanakit, Mel Reid, and In Gee Chun at two-under par. All told, 40 players were under par after round one. Notables that failed to break par included Danielle Kang (even), Sei Young Kim and Celine Boutier (plus-one), and Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson (plus-two).
Second Round
Austin Ernst and Jennifer Kupcho each posted rounds of 67 to take over the lead at ten-under par. Carlota Ciganda blistered the front nine at five-under and finished with the round of the day at 65. She was two behind the leaders and one ahead of Nelly Korda, who dropped back after a round of 70. Jenny Coleman continued to impress with a round of 69 and was five off the lead. A group of five led by Patty Tavatanakit, Yiu Liu and Jaye Marie Green were at four-under. Cristie Kerr, Brooke Henderson and Lexi Thompson all rebounded from opening rounds of 74 to post rounds of 69 to make the cut. The most impressive performance was from 57-year-old Laura Davies, who shot a 69 to make the cut. Those who struggled but survived the cut line included Jessica Korda (75) and Jeongeun Lee6 (77 which included five-over on the front nine), and
Third Round
Austin Ernst shot a 69 and moved into sole possession of first at 13-under par. She held a one-shot lead over Jennifer Kupcho. Rookie Albane Valenzuela opened eyes after a 66 put her tied at seven-under par with Pattay Tavatanakit and Jenny Coleman. Carlota Ciganda fell eight off the pace after a 75 that would have been much worse were it not for an eagle on the 18th. Nelly Korda also continued to struggle after the excellent opening round, posting a 76 which included plus-five on the last 11 holes. Jeongeun Lee6 continued her roller coaster ride with a round of 68, while Laura Davies (76) and Mi Jung Hur (80) dropped well out of contention.
Final Round
The final 18 holes on Sunday was a two-horse race that quickly became one as Ernst opened a six-shot lead after four birdies on the front nine. Despite a couple of hiccups on the back nine, she earned a five-shot win with a score of 15-under par. Jennifer Kupcho got as low as 13-under par, but a disastrous stretch of four-over par from 13 through 17 sealed her fate. Jenny Coleman completed her best event on the LPGA Tour, finishing sole possession of third at nine-under par. In Gee Chun was fourth at seven-under and Albane Valenzuela finished alone in fifth at six-under par. The round of the day went to Yealimi Noh, who posted a 68. She was one of four players who posted a final round score under 70, along with Lexi Thompson, In Gee Chun, and Yu Liu.
Coming Up
The LPGA Tour heads to Carlsbad, California March 25-28 for the Kia Classic. Last year, Nasa Hataoka posted a final round of 67 to win the tournament by three shots over Inbee Park, Sung Hyun Park, Jin Young Ko, Azahara Munoz, and Danielle Kang. The ladies will be playing for a purse of $1.8 million and 500 points towards the CME Race to the Globe. The event is 72 holes and will be played on a par 72 layout measuring 6,609 yards.
Read the bio of the 2021 LPGA Drive On Championship, Austin Ernst!
