Nelly Korda claimed her third major championship Sunday at the Chevron Championship in Houston, dominating from start to finish while recapturing the world’s top ranking in women’s golf.
The 27-year-old golfer controlled the tournament from beginning to end, carding a final-round 70 at Memorial Park Golf Course to secure a commanding five-stroke victory. Korda began with back-to-back rounds of 65 to build a substantial lead heading into the weekend, then closed out the championship at 18-under 270.
“That was a hard weekend. Honestly, having that big of a lead, it’s not easy,” Korda explained. “It was definitely one of the hardest things I’ve had to do mentally.
“But I have an amazing support system, amazing family right behind me, amazing caddie that’s on the bag, and just happy to get it done.”
China’s Ruoning Yin finished with a 69 while Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit carded a 70, both ending in a deadlock for second place at 13-under par.
This marks Korda’s third major championship victory, joining her 2021 Women’s PGA Championship triumph and now her second Chevron title in three years. The achievement places her alongside notable contemporaries including New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, Australia’s Minjee Lee, Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist, South Korea’s In-gee Chun, and Hall of Fame legend Nancy Lopez.
The victory also allowed Korda to reclaim the top position in the Rolex Rankings from Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul, who failed to make the cut in Houston. Korda had held the second spot since last August’s Women’s Open.
Her early-season performance has been exceptional, recording two wins and three runner-up finishes across five tournaments. This hot streak mirrors her remarkable 2024 campaign when she captured six titles by mid-May and seven overall.
“I can’t compare. Every year is so different,” Korda reflected. “I would say the only the thing that’s similar is like when do you get into like a zone like this, you’re kind of in your own little bubble, and that’s what I was feeling in 2024. I was in my own little bubble.
“But as for the way that I am mentally — was mentally in 2024 versus what I am mentally right now, they’re almost two different people as well.”
Following her victory, Korda honored tradition by jumping into a specially constructed 4-foot pond at Memorial Park. This custom originated when the tournament was previously held at Rancho Mirage, where champions would leap into water near the 18th green.
“So refreshing,” Korda commented. “Yeah, it was so hot this weekend in Houston. … And, yeah, I mean, if I’m hoisting the trophy then I’m jumping in. I’m going to keep the tradition alive. Everyone is going to have their own opinion. My opinion is if you kill a tradition it’s going to be gone forever.”
Korda entered the final day with a five-shot advantage and immediately extended her lead with birdies on the opening and third holes. She maintained steady play with consistent pars until a bogey on the 12th hole, which she quickly answered with consecutive birdies to seal the championship.
Tavatanakit, who previously won one major title, stayed closest to Korda throughout most of the week and began Sunday in sole possession of second place.
She managed three birdies in her opening six holes Sunday before struggling on the back nine, recording a bogey on the eighth hole and making pars the remainder of the round.
“To be honest, I feel like I didn’t have my A-game at all, but I just managed myself really well,” Tavatanakit admitted. “Just kept grinding out there. Made really nice up and downs all week, which is great. At the same time, I really wish I had my iron game a little bit better.”
Yin also fell short of adding another major championship to her collection.
“I live in Texas so I just assume I have good vibes here,” Yin said. “So, yeah, I mean, I think this course suits me well, and I think if I can hit a little bit longer it would be great. But overall I think I’m just really proud of this week.”
China’s Yan Liu shot 67 and South Korea’s Ina Yoon posted 68 to share fourth place at 12-under par. South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim, who has claimed two victories this season, finished well back in sixth at 7-under following a final-round 69, as few competitors reached double digits under par at this first-time major championship venue.
