Nelly Korda captured her ninth LPGA Tour title in a thrilling playoff against Lydia Ko at the LPGA Drive On Championship in Bradenton, Florida. The American player, who played in front of her audience, was able to show herself solid in the decisive moments, despite a turbulent end to the match.

Nelly Korda wins her 9th LPGA Tour title in her hometown

Nelly Korda with her LPGA Drive On Championship trophy in Bradenton – via X @LPGA

Repeat, who started the day with a four-stroke lead at the top of the rankings, saw his lead melt away over the holes, under pressure from Ko and Megan khang. The New Zealander, who had 20 victories on the circuit, took control of the tournament by signing an eagle on the 17th hole, to place herself at -11.

But Korda did not give up, and responded with an eagle at the same hole, then a birdie at the 18th, to join Ko in the playoff. After sharing the first extra hole, the two players met on the 18th, where Ko missed her par putt, leaving the door open for Korda, who converted hers to claim victory.

“It was an incredible day, with incredible support from the public. I am so grateful and surprised to see so many people come to watch me. They helped me stay in the game. I didn't even think I had a chance, and then obviously by making the eagle on 17, I knew I needed a birdie on 18 to have a chance of making a playoff. Well, Nelly style, I made it dramatic,” said Korda, who surrendered a 73 (+2) in the final round.

With this success, Korda becomes the 43rd American player to win at least nine titles on the LPGA Tour, and crossed the $9 million mark in career earnings. It is also his sixth victory in the United States, and the first since the ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican in 2022. She is also the second consecutive player to win in the city where she resides, after Ko, who did so last week at Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.

There's nothing like winning at home, and for Korda, that makes this title perhaps no more important than the others, but certainly a little more special than some of the ones she's achieved since she joined the LPGA Tour in 2017.

“Every victory has a story. Playing in my hometown and having the support of my hometown was amazing. I didn't think there would be so many people. Even on the first day, Thursday, the number of people who were there to support me was incredible. I couldn’t have done it without all their positive energy,” she said.

Korda will now enjoy seven weeks of rest and a trip to the Czech Republic to visit her grandparents, before returning to competition on the LPGA Tour. This victory should give him confidence for the rest of the season, after a year 2023 without a title.

“At the start of last year, I would never say golf is easy, but top 10s were a given. I played well, but I never managed to take the step of victory. Knowing that after a tough year, I can still win here, and I just need to relax a little more, do my job, keep my head down, and keep moving forward,” she concluded.

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Nelly Korda takes the lead of the LPGA Drive On