Nelly Korda Claims Maiden Major Title

Nelly Korda Claims Maiden Major Title

Nelly Korda PGA Championship
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The 22-year-old continued her scintillating form at the Women's PGA Championship, as a final round 68 secured a three shot victory and her first Major title.

Nelly Korda Claims Maiden Major Title

The American star is one the game's most inform players right now, having claimed the Meijer LPGA Classic only a week ago.

Despite starting the final round in a share of the lead with fellow countrywoman, Lizette Salas, Korda would show her class, producing two eagles and two birdies to cruise to her first Major title, and, in the process, gain the world number one spot.

Nelly Korda PGA Championship

Korda becomes the first female American to reach number one in the world rankings since 2014.
(Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

"Honestly, this is something that I've worked for since I was 14. Since I played in my first one, I wanted to be a Major champion and to finally get it done here in Atlanta with such an amazing crowd is really special."

Korda, who on Friday had fired a nine-under-par round of 63 to tie the championship record, had been close to a first Major victory on a number of occasions. However, starting her final round on Sunday, it seemed destined that this would change.

Making birdie at the par-4 3rd, the American would hit a lazer-guided fairway wood at the par-5 5th that never left the destined target, finishing just a few rolls short of an albatross.

The tap-in eagle would lead to six consecutive pars, with the run eventually ending with yet another eagle!

This time though it was far from straightforward, with her bold approach shot barely clearing the water that guarded the front of the green, it would roll to no-more than six-feet.

With a four-shot cushion, Korda could afford a minor hiccup at the par-3 15th, making a double bogey that only seemed to delay the inevitable.

Nelly Korda PGA Championship

Korda and Salas on the 18th green. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Having safely navigated the 72nd hole, the 22-year-old could relax knowing her dream of winning a Major championship had come true.

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Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x