Korda powers to third LPGA victory in as many starts

LOS ANGELES (Agencies): World number one Nelly Korda marched to her third victory in three LPGA tour starts on Sunday, firing seven birdies in a flawless seven-under par 65 to win the Ford Championship in Arizona by two strokes. Korda became the first LPGA pro to win three consecutive starts since Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn in 2016. She’s two shy of matching the LPGA record of five consecutive victories, first accomplished by Nancy Lopez in 1978 and matched by Annika Sorenstam in 2004-05. Korda’s 20-under par total of 268 at Seville Golf and Country Club in suburban Phoenix gave her a two-shot triumph over Australian rookie Hira Naveed, who had seven birdies in her six-under 66. “Honestly feels like a blur,” Korda said, adding that as the hype over her potential hat trick grew she tried to “stay very present.” “(I) just played really good golf, solid golf in tough conditions today, which I’m very happy about,” said Korda, who opened her 2024 campaign with a playoff victory in the Drive On Championship in her hometown of Bradenton, Florida, in January. She skipped the tour’s Asian swing, and returned last week to win the Seri Pak Championship in Los Angeles in a playoff, a victory that returned her to the top of the world rankings.