Five-time LPGA winner Danielle Kang outlasted number one women’s golfer Nellie Korda, Gabby Lopez, and Brooke Henderson, to secure her sixth Tour victory at Lake Nona Country Club.
Teeing off on January 21, the LPGA’s season opener, the Tournament Of Champions, consisted of a mix of 50 celebrities and 29 LPGA winners over the last two years. The tournament has quickly become a player’s and fan’s favorite to jump-start the new year. It’s a party atmosphere, with Hall Of Famers, future Hall Of Famers, actors, musicians, and celebrities attending from multiple genres.
The tournament had previously been held at Tranquillo Golf Club, at Four Season Resort in Orlando, Fla., and before that, at Mystic Dunes Resort, also in Orlando. It was sponsored by Diamond Resorts International. Now it’s sponsored by Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. Under a two-year contract to be held at Lake Nona Country Club in Orlando.
for winner Danielle Kang—it was sweet revenge after blowing a lead in last year’s event and losing to Nellie’s big sister Jessica Korda over at Tranquillo Golf Club.
Legendary Hall Of Famer Annika Sorenstam participated as a celebrity since she’s no longer a member of the LPGA Tour. Annika, also a resident of the Lake Nona Community, gave the fans a real treat, as she and MLB great Derek Lowe flipped flopped back and forth with the lead amongst the celebrity players. They ended up tied for first and forced a playoff. Derek Lowe made a long par putt on the first playoff hole to close it out and win the Celebrity version of this unique format.
Hats off to all who endured the elements, being that the temperatures were in the high 40’s, which is like freezing for Florida. To you all, The Players, The Celebrities, The Fans, The Volunteers, The Media, and The Sponsors, “Well Done”.
—John Perry, reporting for AAGD.
John Perry is a freelance writer, poet and active golfer with a passion for calling shots like he sees them and, then, telling it like it is. He resides in Orlando, Fla.