Korda clinches another title in Taiwan
American tops two other golfers on first playoff hole
Defending champion Nelly Korda frittered away a three-stroke lead, but won the first playoff hole to repeat as champion at the Swinging Skirts Sunday in New Taipei City, Taiwan.
The American shot an even-par 72 to finish at 18 under in regulation, leading to a three-way playoff with Australia’s Minjee Lee (who shot 3-under 69) and Germany’s Caroline Masson (4-under 68).
After running her bogey-free streak to 41 holes, Korda stumbled on No. 4 to begin a roller-coaster final round. She finished the day with five birdies and five bogeys in regulation before picking up a clutch birdie on the first playoff hole to seal the victory.
“I kept telling myself, ‘From the heart, from the heart, from the heart,’ because I was very nervous because it was my first playoff,” Korda said.
Lee birdied No. 18 to catch Masson, who had just one bogey during a steady round, to make it a threeway playoff. Lee finished the day with three bogeys, four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 No. 6 hole.
Masson didn’t sound disappointed to have finished as runner-up.
“I think if you told me at the beginning of the day to be in a playoff, I would have taken it,” Masson said. “Not a bad spot to be in obviously.”
The 21-year-old Korda, who won her first title here in 2018, earned her second title of the season and third of her career.
South Korea’s Mi Jung Hur, the second-round leader, shot her second straight 1-under 71 to finish in a three-way tie for fourth with countrymate Sei Young Kim (3-under 69) and Canada’s Brooke Henderson (4-under 68) at 14 under.
Canada’s Alena Sharp finished tied for 49th at even par.
Rory McIlroy beat 2018 champion Xander Schauffele on the first playoff hole to win the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions Sunday in Shanghai.
It’s the fourth title in 15 starts for the Irish star, who shot a 4-under 68 to finish at 19 under in regulation at Sheshan International.
Canada’s Corey Conners finished tied for 20th at 8 under, while Adam Hadwin was even to finish tied for 46th.
McIlroy credited his concentration for helping him win his third WGC event and for his recent string of success.
“Even if I’m having a bad day, I’m trying over every single shot,” said McIlroy. “My concentration is better and my mental capacity on the golf course is much better than it ever has been and I think that’s a big key to why I’m able to play consistently week in, week out.”
McIlroy got the first crack off the tee on the first sudden-death playoff hole. He said that going first was a big boost to his chances.
“I knew that was the big moment because I could hit a drive down the fairway and put the pressure on him,” said McIlroy.
Sure enough, McIlroy’s drive was true, while Schauffele wound up in the rough. McIlroy hit the green on his next shot, then two-putted for a birdie. Schauffele recovered to give himself a 12-foot birdie attempt, but was unable to force another hole.
“When he’s on, I’d say he’s arguably the best player in the world,” Schauffele said of McIlroy afterward.
South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen finished in third place after shooting a 3-under 69, leaving him two shots back.
France’s Victor Perez, Austria’s Matthias Schwab and Mexico’s Abraham Ancer all finished the tournament in a tie for fourth at 15 under.
England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick, who had the lead at the midway point, finished five back for a seventh-place finish.
Brendon Todd ended five years of frustration as the American shot a career best 9-under 62 to win the inaugural Bermuda Championship by four strokes on Sunday.
Defying his world No. 525 ranking, Todd’s 24-under total of 260 made him a comfortable winner over third-round leader Harry Higgs.
Canadians finished: David Hearn (269), Roger Sloan (277) and Michael Gligic (280). Meanwhile, veterans Mike Weir and Graham DeLaet missed the weekend cut. Reuters