Fantastic Korda drives away with Honda title
US star breaks Yang’s record to win by four
PATTAYA: Local favourite Moriya Jutanugarn missed out on a chance to win her maiden LPGA Tour title with Jessica Korda recording a wire-to-wire victory yesterday at the Honda LPGA Thailand for her first trophy since 2015.
The 24-year-old Korda, playing for the first time this season after a jaw surgery, closed with a five-under-par 67 to finish on 25-under 263, smashing the previous mark of 22 under set by Amy Yang of South Korea in 2017.
Moriya, who was in the leader group with the American and Australia’s Minjee Lee, pulled within two shots early on the back nine, but Korda canned birdies on 11, 13 and 15 before sinking a 25-foot birdie on the 17th to cruise to a four-stroke victory at the Siam Country Club Old Course.
“I can’t believe it, today was such a blur, I was just trying to make birdies. I tried to relax, but I was nervous,” said Korda after winning her fifth LPGA Tour title.
“This [LPGA Thailand] was the first event of my rookie year. I played really, really well this week.
“It’s an incredible thing to be able to win again. I haven’t won in two years. And who knows? It’s so hard out here. These girls are so good. I mean, look at the scoreboard. I had to shoot 25-under just to win,” she added.
“I just came with no expectations after surgery. It’s really hard for me to move. All this stuff is just still really hard, but I’m really, really happy that I chose to come back to this event exactly where I started my rookie year in 2011. I don’t think I could have asked for a better win.”
Moriya (67) finished second on 21-under 267 alongside the 2016 champion Lexi Thompson, who climbed up the leaderboard with a stunning eight birdies on the final day of play.
Moriya, whose final round included four birdies, an eagle and a bogey, refused to be disheartened as her chance to win her first LPGA title slipped away yet again.
“I don’t feel sad at all,” said Moriya. “Playing with Jess [Jessica Korda] is cool and she’s doing great. I’m happy she’s having a great comeback from surgery. That’s not easy.”
China’s top-ranked Feng Shanshan carded six birdies in a bogey-free 66 to share fifth spot with Moriya’s younger sister Ariya, who had a 69.
Australian Lee recovered from an early bogey to finish seven shots off the lead at fourth on the leaderboard.
Another Thai hope Pornanong Phatlum jumped from tied-16th to seventh place after an impressive 64, her personal best round at Siam Country Club by three shots.
“I f eel great, hitting the perfect shot every time, it was amazing,” said Pornanong.
(Par-72)
263 — Jessica Korda (USA) 66-62-68-67
267 — Lexi Thompson (USA) 66-68-69-64, Moriya Jutanugarn (THA) 66-69-65-67
270 — Minjee Lee (AUS) 66-67-68-69
271 — Feng Shanshan (CHN) 69-68-68-66, Ariya Jutanugarn (THA) 68-69-65-69
272 — Ko Jin-Young (KOR) 73-67-68-64, Pornanong Phatlum (THA) 69-69-70-64, Brooke M Hendersen (CAN) 67-68-70-67, Brittany Lincicome (USA) 67-65-73-67
273 — Michelle Wie (USA) 68-67-69-69
Selected scores
282 — Lydia Ko (NZL) 69-74-71-68
284 — Benyapa Niphatsophon (THA) 75-76-68-65 289 — Saranporn Langkulgasettrin (THA) 76-73-69-71
291 — Supamas Sangchan (THA) 82-69-71-69