Nelly Korda returned to the winner’s circle in impressive fashion at the 2026 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, claiming her first victory since the 2024 season and reminding the golf world why she remains one of the game’s most dominant forces. The season-opening LPGA Tour event was held January 29 through February 1 at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida, where champions and celebrities once again shared the spotlight.
Korda’s performance throughout the week was a masterclass in consistency and control. She finished the tournament with the most birdies in the field, recording 16 over three rounds, and sealed the win with a brilliant final-round 64, the lowest round of the week. The victory marked her 16th career LPGA Tour win and her first season-opening victory since joining the Tour in 2017. It also made her the first American to win the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions since 2022.
With the win, Korda earned 500 points to take over first place in the Race to the CME Globe, along with a winner’s prize of $310,000. The result moved her to No. 8 on the LPGA Tour’s all-time career money list, surpassing Amy Yang, and pushed her official career earnings past $16.4 million. Her past success at this event made the victory especially fitting, as she previously recorded multiple top-five finishes here, including runner-up honors in 2025.
The triumph added another milestone to an already historic career. Korda is now the 28th American player to reach at least 16 LPGA Tour victories and continues to build on a résumé that includes two major championships, seven wins during her remarkable 2024 season, and Rolex Player of the Year honors. She is also a two-time Olympian and the 2020 Olympic gold medalist, along with a four-time member of the U.S. Solheim Cup team.
Winning at Lake Nona not only launched Korda’s 2026 campaign in style, but also reaffirmed her place among the elite in women’s golf. As the season unfolds, her return to form sets the tone for another compelling year on the LPGA Tour.
