Amid Failing to Make History, Nelly Korda’s LPGA Heartbreak Continues as Former Ally Takes a Giant Stride With $487,000 Feat

While fighting hard to have a better shot at the coveted World number 1 spot, Nelly Korda finished the Annika event on an underwhelming note. What was once hers has been eluding her all this year since Korda has had a winless season in 2023. With only one event left in the LPGA calendar for the current season, her world ranking status is at risk.

After the Annika event ended, the results of the tournament modified the Rolex World ranking standings. Nelly Korda’s fans were hoping for an improvement in her rank after the event, in the hopes that the two-time defending champion would probably have a great finish. However, her world rank has taken a hit instead. 

The Annika event trashes Nelly Korda’s hopes

Stepping into the event with the aim to three-peat her success story at the Annika driven by Gainbridge at the Pelican tournament, Korda has had a T25 finish. While the 25-year-old did manage to put up birdies on the board, she suffered several bogeys as well. 

With an 8-under score for the whole event, she was trailing behind the title winner Lilia Vu by 11 strokes. Despite the three birdies in the final round, her three bogeys left her without any improvement on her score in the end. 

Before that, the almost-splendid third round gave her three birdies and an eagle, from the first 17 holes. The fatal final hole threw a double-bogey at her though. It is understandable that the final hole double bogey would have been upsetting, influencing the final round. 

The results of the event have brought changes to Rolex Player of the Year award standings. Lilia Vu had jumped up to the first position with this win over Celine Boutier who was leading with 169 points leading Vu’s 166. Vu currently holds 196 points. Ruoning Yin earned 4 points from the event, but that didn’t change her third position. 

Coming back to the younger Korda sister, the year 2023 has not been kind to her. It has left her with a winless season until now, with only one event left. Looks like Lilia Vu had beaten Korda in the Rolex ranking race.

Will Lilia Vu become World No. 1?

Currently holding the sixth position in the World Ranking, Korda recently stepped down from the fifth position in the. Minjee Lee who was in the sixth position had swapped positions with her climbing up to the fifth place. 

Meanwhile, Ruoning Yin tops the table, with 7.76 average points, followed by Lilia Vu holding 7.73 points. Celine Boutier holds 7.62 points to her name, while the fourth-rank holder Jin Young Ko stands with 6.99 average points. 

Read more: ‘More to Life Than Wins’: Despite Suffering Heartbreak at the Annika, Lexi Thompson Gets Brutally Candid About Her LPGA Resurgence

Estimates claim that Lilia Vu would climb up the ladder with the points she earned from the Annika event. If she can hold on to that through the CME Tour championship, she earn that coveted World number 1 title. 

Who do you think is going to be the World’s No.1 female golfer at the end of this season?

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