Nelly Korda has won yet again and, this time, it’s come at a Major, as the World No.1 claimed her fifth-straight victory and second Major title after a three-under 69 in the final round of the Chevron Championship.
Her victory ties the record for consecutive wins on the LPGA Tour alongside Nancy Lopez (1978) and Annika Sorenstam (2004-05), as Korda shot five birdies and two bogeys in her final round to finish on 13-under for the tournament, beating Maja Stark by two shots.
Korda started well with four birdies in her first 10 holes, before the nerves seemed to kick in. Bogeys on 11 and 15 made her job slightly tougher, but she ultimately showed her class to birdie the 18th to finish in style.
"I can finally breathe now," she said after securing her historic win. "That back nine felt like the longest back nine of my entire life. It was a little bit of a grind but happy to get the win.
"I was definitely starting to feel it on the back nine; just the nerves of a Major. It's everything I always wanted as a little girl to lift that Major trophy. As I said, I can finally breathe now and just enjoy the moment, because I was definitely feeling nervous. I feel sick to my stomach."
Stark carded a bogey-free 69 to claim second place on her own at 11-under, while Lauren Coughlin and Brooke Henderson shared third at -10. 54-hole leader Hae Ran Ryu struggled to a two-over final round to finish in fifth at -9.
The Chevron Championship Leaderboard
- -13 KORDA
- -11 STARK
- -10 COUGHLIN, HENDERSON
- -9 RYU
- -8 CIGANDA
- -7 HENSELEIT
Updates from...
FINAL ROUND UNDERWAY
Hello and welcome to live coverage of day four of the Chevron Championship. The final group of Hae Ran Ryu (-11), Nelly Korda (-10) and Brooke Henderson (-10) starts in just under 30 minutes at 11.36am (local time).
The final round is underway, with several players already under par. Should be a good one.
CAN NELLY KORDA TAKE THE NEXT STEP TO SUPERSTARDOM?
World No.1 Nelly Korda is looking to make history by becoming just the third women's player to win five consecutive LPGA tournaments. She can join Nancy Lopez (1978) and Annika Sorenstam (2004-05) with a victory today. She is also chasing her second Major title.
After a lot of parity in women's golf, the emergence of a potential superstar like Korda will be huge for the sport. But it won't be easy, with such a talented leaderboard here on Sunday.
PENULTIMATE GROUP TEES OFF
The penultimate group of Maja Stark, Jin Hee Im and Atthaya Thitikul – all on eight under – have teed off on hole one. This is rising star Thitikul's first tournament since recovering from a thumb injury. She had a tough run in to finish her third round, with three straight bogeys on 14, 15 and 16 to shoot even par.
WATCH: RYU'S BIRDIE ON THE 18TH
Ryu shot a five-under 67 in her third round, including a clutch birdie on 18 to take a one-stroke advantage into the final round.
Watch the moment she sunk her putt below...
Hae Ran Ryu with a birdie for the lead ⚠️She turns in a bogey-free 67 to get to -11 pic.twitter.com/fNqqxCIBbBApril 21, 2024
THE FINAL GROUP IS OFF
The final group is off and running. Korda finds the fairway bunker with her tee shot, but she should be ok to go for the green from there. Ryu and Henderson are safely on the fairway.
SOLID START FOR CHASING GROUP
Stark, Im and Thitikul have all started with straightforward pars on No.1.
Back from the bunker, Korda has absolutely striped one to give herself a good look for birdie on the first hole. Henderson follows suit and has about 20-feet for a bird, while leader Ryu missed the green.
Further down the leaderboard, amateur Jasmine Koo has made a strong start to her round and is two-under through six holes. She moves up to T14 at -4.
RYU BOGEYS THE FIRST
Tough start for Ryu as she drops a shot straight away after missing the green on the first. She had a long par putt and couldn't get it to drop. Both Korda and Henderson couldn't quite get their birdie putts to fall. They're now all tied at -10 for the lead.
KORDA'S TOURNAMENT SO FAR
Korda hasn't quite been at her best this week, but she's been playing smart, steady golf. She's the only player to have three rounds in the 60s this week, with scores of 68, 69 and 69 in her first three rounds. Very similar to men's No.1 Scottie Scheffler, Korda just seems to find a way to make birdies and play consistently. Her length from the tee is a nice bonus, too.
A good approach on the first from the bunker shows she's hitting it nicely to start her first round.
RYU STRUGGLING EARLY
Ryu has missed the green again on the second hole. She was lucky to stay out of the long stuff after missing her tee shot to the left, and found the green-side bunker with her approach to leave a tricky up-and-down.
Meanwhile, Thitikul has dropped to -7 after bogeying No.2.
RYU DROPS ANOTHER SHOT AS KORDA TAKES THE LEAD
Ryu can't get her tricky bunker shot close at all and was left with about 40-feet for par, which she couldn't get to go down. That's two-straight bogeys for the 54-hole leader to drop to -9. Henderson also bogeyed the second after missing her par putt from about 15-feet.
Korda couldn't sink her birdie chance, but is now has the solo lead with two pars to start her round.
HENSELEIT AND ZHANG IN CONTENTION
A strong start for Esther Henseleit of Germany and China's Weiwei Zhang in the final round to close the gap at the top. Both are two-under through four holes to move up to -7, three behind Korda.
KORDA WITH A BEAUTY ON THE THIRD
Korda has a great birdie chance on the par-3 third hole after a gorgeous tee shot right at the pin.
Leading by one and firing at pins 🔥@NellyKorda is looking to make history at the @Chevron_Golf Watch now on @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/MGsMGQoJTV pic.twitter.com/G9KZCNUK2jApril 21, 2024
BIRDIES FOR KORDA AND HENDERSON
Korda matches Henderson's birdie on the third to stay in the lead, while Ryu can't get her birdie putt to drop and stays on -9.
Korda moves to -11, one shot ahead of Henderson. Ryu can't seem to get anything going in her fourth round.
NORDQVIST MAKING HER MOVE
Anna Nordqvist has rocketed up the leaderboard after three birdies in her first eight holes. Nice start for the Swede, who has the best round going so far in the final round. She joins Coughlin and Zhang on -6.
WATCH: KORDA AND HENDERSON'S BIRDIE PUTTS ON THREE
.@BrookeHenderson birdies on No. 3 and @NellyKorda answers 🤩Nelly is leading at -11 and Brooke is following closely at -10 pic.twitter.com/dhtWRMysQzApril 21, 2024
HENDERSON PLAYING WELL
Henderson is continuing her third-round form into the final round, with nine birdies or better in her last 17 holes. She carded a sensational eight-under 64 in her third round – including seven birdies, an eagle and just one bogey – to get back into contention. An even-par start so far for her today.
IM MOVES TO -9
Im sinks her first birdie of the day on the par-5 fourth to join Ryu on -9. In the same group, Stark stays on -8 with four pars, while Thitikul moves back to -7 with a birdie following two bogeys on holes three and four.
KORDA SETS UP ANOTHER BIRDIE CHANCE
A superb shot from the green-side bunker sets Korda up for a tap-in birdie on the fourth. She could increase her lead to three if Ryu can't sink her birdie putt from about 10 feet.
Henderson will drop at least one shot after going over the green into the bunker with her third, then fluffing her fourth shot to stay in the sand. She couldn't get her fifth from the bunker close and has a long putt for bogey.
KORDA LEADS BY THREE
Korda taps it in for birdie on the fourth as expected, while Ryu can't sink her birdie putt. It means Korda moves to -12, three shots ahead of Im and Ryu.
Henderson has dropped to -8 after a double bogey. She had a nightmare around the green after getting it close in two. Her third chip went through the green into the bunker, her fourth stayed in the bunker, her fifth got out of the sand but went way past the green, and she two-putted from there.
IM CUTS KORDA'S LEAD TO TWO
Im sinks her second birdie of the day on the fifth to move up to solo second at -10, two behind Korda.
Also on two-under so far today is Carlota Ciganda, who has three birdies and a bogey to sit on -8 alongside Stark.
RYU MAKES ANOTHER BOGEY
Ryu, who had a one-shot lead heading into the final round, is struggling out there with her third bogey in five holes. She falls to -8, four behind the lead.
After the double on four, Henderson bounces back with a birdie to move to -9. Korda stays at -12 with a par after missing her first green in regulation of her round so far. She still leads by two shots.
KORDA'S BUNKER SHOT THAT SET UP HER BIRDIE ON 4
A birdie for @NellyKorda gives her a 3 stroke lead 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BmCKN8gil6April 21, 2024
BACK-TO-BACK BIRDIES FOR HENDERSON
Henderson's putter is staying hot as she fights back to even-par for her round with her second straight birdie on the sixth. She moves to -10 alongside Im, two behind Korda who couldn't sink her birdie putt. Ryu also pars the sixth to stay on -8.
FIVE PLAYERS ON -8
Henseleit moves up to -8 with a birdie on the eighth. The German is three-under today, with two birdies, an eagle and a bogey – the best score of the field in the final round so far. Also on -8 is Coughlin, Stark, Ciganda and Ryu.
HENDERSON'S BIRDIE PUTT ON NO.6
Another one 🔥@BrookeHenderson pulls back within two at the @Chevron_Golf Watch now on @peacock! pic.twitter.com/0nMxU33wStApril 21, 2024
COUGHLIN, CIGANDA MOVE TO -9
Coughlin makes back-to-back birdies to move to -9. She's three under through nine holes, with four birdies and a bogey.
Ciganda joins Coughlin on -9 with a birdie on the eighth, also moving to three under for her round.
KORDA PARS NO.7
Korda hit another green on the par-3 seventh, but left it way short. She managed to two-putt from there to stay at -12. She seems to be cruising out there and has barely made any mistakes today. Both Henderson and Ryu also par No.7.
On top of equalling the record with five-straight victories on the LPGA Tour, a win today will also double Korda's earnings for the year. Today's winner will claim $1.2m, which is about what Korda has in winnings so far this season.
BIG CROWD FOLLOWING KORDA
Huge crowds now following Nelly Korda in the final group. LPGA Commisioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan estimates this might be one of the biggest crowds for a domestic event in her time as commissioner. pic.twitter.com/uZoHTGJ5nxApril 21, 2024
THE PAR 5 QUEEN
One stat might be the biggest reason for Korda's dominance this year. According to Golf Digest, Korda has averaged 4.33 strokes on the par 5s during her four consecutive victories prior to the Chevron Championship.
That stat has continued this week as she went seven-under for the par 5s in her first three rounds. She birdied her first par 5 today and has another birdie putt coming up on the par-5 eighth.
ANOTHER BIRDIE FOR KORDA
We are truly witnessing something special here. Korda has sunk her third birdie of the day after getting a long putt to drop on the par-5 eighth. She just missed the green in two, then left her chip shorter than she would've liked. No bother though as she rolled it in nicely to extend her lead to three shots at -13.
Henderson pars to stay at -10, while Ryu gets a shot back with a birdie to move back to -9.
KORDA'S BIRDIE PUTT ON 8
To extend her lead 💥@NellyKorda is looking for her 5th win in her last five starts at the @Chevron_Golf Watch now on NBC! pic.twitter.com/WGRmqhEIO3April 21, 2024
BIG WEEK FOR GOLF
What a week of golf to follow the Masters. Korda is leading by three to potentially win her fifth consecutive tournament. Scheffler is also leading by three at the RBC Heritage for his fourth victory in five starts. 15-year-old Miles Russell made history as the youngest player to make the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour and is currently T20 after his final round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic.
KORDA PARS NO.9
Korda is three-under through her first nine holes of the final round after a par on No.9. She still leads by three.
Ryu is fighting her way back up the leaderboard though, and is back to -10 after two straight birdies on 8 and 9. Henderson and Im are also on -10. They'll need something special to catch Korda.
KORDA'S FRONT 9 STATS
Korda has hit 5/7 fairways and 8/9 greens in regulation as she makes the turn. She's looking cool and composed out there today.
IM DROPS BACK TO -9
Im makes her first bogey of her round on the tricky 10th hole to fall back to -9. Shortly after, all three players in the final group miss the green.
KORDA CHIPS-IN FOR ANOTHER BIRD!
This is getting ridiculous now. After missing the green on 10, Korda has just holed out with her chip from the rough to extend her lead to four shots. Crazy. Both Henderson and Ryu have short putts for par.
HENDERSON CAN'T SAVE PAR
Henderson is falling out of it as she can't save her par on the 10th. She had about six feet but missed it right and falls to -9 – a far cry from her red-hot third round. Ryu taps in her par putt to stay on -10 in solo second place, four shots behind Korda.
KORDA'S CHIP ON 10
Are you serious?! 🤯@NellyKorda chips in on the 10th hole to move to 14-under in search of her 2nd major title 🔥 pic.twitter.com/p7ZE8cQNjeApril 21, 2024
KORDA FINDS TROUBLE ON THE 11TH
Korda makes her first big mistake on the par-4 11th and finds tree trouble with her tee shot. She is forced to pitch out and has left herself with a testy par putt from about 10 feet.
KORDA DROPS A SHOT
Korda can't get her par putt to drop and moves back to -13. After cruising to shoot four-under in her first 10 holes, she finally shows she's human on the 11th with an errant tee shot. She was forced to pitch out to avoid the trees and couldn't par from there. She's still in a great position though as the birdies seem to have dried up for the chasing pack.
COUGHLIN MOVES TO -10
Coughlin joins Ryu on -10 after a birdie on the 13th. She's playing well today with five birdies and just one bogey, but is running out of holes to catch Korda.
KORDA'S FIRST BOGEY IN 39 HOLES
Korda's bogey on 11 was her first blemish since the seventh hole of her second round. That's 38 holes without a bogey. She has some work to do now though to avoid back-to-back bogeys as she needs to two-putt from a significant distance on the par-3 12th after losing her tee shot left.
KORDA SAVES PAR ON 12
Korda makes it an easy two-putt on 12 to stay on -13. Six holes to go to make history. No one else is stepping up to contend yet, with Coughlin and Ryu still on -10, and running out of holes.
LUCKIEST SHOT OF THE TOURNAMENT?
Wait for it..Jasmine Koo BOUNCES it out of the water 🤯 pic.twitter.com/JCkiAW9fOfApril 21, 2024
COUGHLIN MAKES A MOVE
Coughlin has cut Korda's lead down to two shots after rolling in a nice putt on the 14th for a bird. That's her sixth birdie of her round. So you're telling me there's a chance?
KORDA ATTACKS THE 13TH
Korda goes for the green in two on the par-5 13th, but can't quite keep it on the putting surface. She'll have a good chance to get up-and-down for another birdie.
KORDA MISSES A GOOD BIRDIE CHANCE
Korda couldn't get her birdie on 13 to drop from about four feet, after showing nice touch from around the greens with her third chip shot. That keeps her two-stroke lead, with Coughlin staying at -11 after narrowly missing a long birdie putt on 15.
Henderson manages to move back to within three of the lead after a nice birdie, while Ryu stays on -10 with a par.
THITIKUL'S TOUGH DAY
Thitikul had the one-shot lead at -11 when thunderstorms halted the third round on Saturday. She is now at -3 in a tie for 12th after a disappointing end to her third round when play resumed today, and is five-over through 14 holes in her final round. Not her day.
KORDA'S LEAD BACK TO THREE
Coughlin bogeys the 16th to fall back to -10, three shots behind Korda. She missed the fairway with her tee shot, then found the bunker and couldn't get it up-and-down for par. That might end her slim shot at the title.
HENDERSON, RYU FALLING OUT OF IT
Henderson and Ryu both bogey 14 to fall to -9, while Korda saves her par to stay at -13. Playing in the same group as Korda can't be easy.
TROUBLE FOR KORDA
Korda could be in trouble on the 15th as she may have found the water with her tee shot. Not her best swing of the day as she lost it way left. Hard to tell if her ball stayed dry, but it's not in a good spot regardless. She's cooled off a bit in the last few holes – some nerves perhaps?
KORDA RECOVERS AFTER FINDING THE WATER
So Korda did find the water with her drive on 15, but manages to find the middle of the green after being forced to drop. Her approach was perhaps a bit fortunate as she didn't seem to like it after her swing, but she'll have a par putt from about 20 feet.
And good news for Korda, Coughlin bogeyed again on 17 to fall back to -9, extending Korda's lead back to four.
KORDA BOGEYS 15
Korda can't get her par putt to drop and now has two bogeys in her last five holes. She falls to -12, but still has a three shot lead over Coughlin, Stark, Henderson and Ryu. A shaky run for Korda, but she's still looking good for the title.
KORDA BATTLING FOR PAR AGAIN
Korda hits an errant tee shot once again on 16 and finds the bunker. She then couldn't find the green and leaves herself with another tricky up-and-down.
On 18, Coughlin puts some pressure on Korda by ending her round with a birdie. Coughlin is in the clubhouse with a four-under 68 to sit at -10, just two back of Korda.
KORDA PARS 16
Korda makes no mistake with her par putt and lets out a fist pump. Two pars in her final two holes should do the job.
STARK GIVES HERSELF A CHANCE
Stark sinks her birdie putt on 17 to move up to -10, with the par-5 18th coming up. The Swede still has a clean scorecard for her final round. Things could get interesting if she manages a birdie or better at the last.
KORDA HITS THE FLAGSTICK ON 17!
After a nervy few holes, Korda has clutched up on the par-3 17th and almost hit a hole in one. Just when she needed it, she produced one of her swings of the day, with her tee shot bouncing off the flagstick and leaving about six feet for a birdie.
NELLY KORDA DOING NELLY KORDA THINGS
OFF THE FLAGSTICK! 💥@NellyKorda nearly aces the 17th hole at the @Chevron_Golf! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Wr6OepdVpbApril 21, 2024
KORDA MISSES HER BIRDIE PUTT
That's another short birdie putt missed for Korda. She had about six feet after that incredible tee shot but pushed it right. She remains at -12 as we wait to see what Stark can do on the 18th.
Henderson and Ryu can both only make pars to stay at -9.
FIRST JOB DONE ON 18
Korda shook out any nerves with a perfect tee shot down the fairway on 18.
The only one who could possibly steal it from Korda is Stark, who is just off the green in two. But she might need to hole it out from there to any chance.
STARK CAN'T EAGLE 18
Stark probably needed a chip-in on the 18th and gave it a good go, but ultimately fell short. She still has a tap-in birdie to move to solo second at -11. A solid bogey-free 69 for the 24-year-old Swede, but it might not be enough. Korda just needs to play it safe from here to claim her fifth straight win.
STARK'S EAGLE CHANCE
Nearly 72nd hole magic from Maja Stark 👀She's in the clubhouse with a final score of 11-under 👏 pic.twitter.com/V59bV6jXaJApril 21, 2024
THAT MIGHT BE A WRAP
Korda almost makes the green in two on the par-5 18th and can now breathe easier. She just needs to make par and has three shots to do it from the edge of the green. That should do it.
HENDERSON ENDS WITH A BIRDIE
Henderson ends her round on a high with a birdie on 18. She cards an even par 72 to finish on -10, alongside Coughlin. She couldn't replicate her impressive third round but has another top-5 finish in a Major.
Korda has all but secured her victory after almost making her putt from off the green for eagle. She'll mark her ball and wait for Ryu to finish.
NELLY KORDA WINS THE CHEVRON CHAMPIONSHIP!
She's done it again. Korda taps in her putt on the 18th for a birdie to claim her fifth consecutive win and her second Major title.
KORDA SPEAKS AFTER HER WIN
With that birdie on the last, Korda carded a three-under 69 to win by two shots over Maja Stark.
Speaking after her round, she said: "That back nine felt like the longest back nine of my entire life. It was a little bit of a grind on the back nine but happy to get the win ... I can finally breathe now."
THE MOMENT KORDA MADE IT FIVE-FOR-FIVE
5-for-5 🖐️Nelly Korda makes her fifth win in-a-row a major championship! 🏆@NellyKorda | @Chevron_Golf pic.twitter.com/vSkshhDtV2April 21, 2024
KORDA RECEIVES THE TROPHY
A major addition to @NellyKorda's growing trophy case 🏆 pic.twitter.com/0e1mg9Xd7kApril 21, 2024
THAT CONCLUDES THE CHEVRON CHAMPIONSHIP
Nancy Lopez, Annika Sorenstam and now Nelly Korda. A dominant run for the world No.1 as she writes her name into the LPGA Tour history books with her fifth consecutive victory. The big question now is: can she make it six? Based on how she's playing, I wouldn't bet against her.
That will do it for our coverage of the final round of the Chevron Championship. Thanks for following along.
