In a captivating turn of events at the LPGA’s Annika event, world No. 1 Nelly Korda mounted an impressive comeback to trim Charley Hull’s commanding six-shot lead down to a single stroke heading into Sunday’s final round. The stage is now set for an epic duel between two of the game’s brightest stars at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.
Korda’s Resilient Rally
Despite a shaky start that included two bogeys in her opening four holes, Nelly Korda refused to let Hull run away with the tournament. The American phenom found her rhythm midway through the round, draining a slick 45-foot birdie putt on the eighth hole followed by another impressive 35-footer on the ninth to cut into Hull’s lead.
Korda’s putter remained hot on the back nine as she continued to apply pressure. Birdies on the 11th and 16th holes brought her within striking distance of the lead, setting the stage for a thrilling finish as the sun began to set over the challenging Pelican Golf Club layout.
Fading Light, Rising Tension
As the final group approached the 18th hole, the rapidly fading light added an extra layer of drama to the proceedings. Both Hull and Korda found trouble off the tee, with Hull’s ball coming to rest in the water hazard. After a lengthy wait for a ruling, the Englishwoman managed to salvage a bogey, giving Korda an opportunity to tie for the lead with a par.
However, Korda’s birdie attempt from 30 feet slid 4 feet past the hole, and she ultimately missed the comeback putt for par. The disappointing finish left her one shot behind Hull heading into the final round, but it did little to dampen the excitement surrounding their impending showdown.
“It’s kind of hard when you don’t really see. I think it was a little bit of poor planning by starting so late for us,” Korda remarked about the challenging finish in near-darkness. “Whenever you’re sitting on 18 and the sun is already down, I mean, it’s never nice. And especially with how slick these greens are and you can’t properly see, I mean, obviously two factors that go into that, too.”
– Nelly Korda
The Battle for No. 1
Korda’s pursuit of Hull is not just about winning The Annika; it’s also a battle for the top spot in the women’s world golf rankings. A victory on Sunday would solidify Korda’s position as the undisputed No. 1 player in the game and add another prestigious title to her already impressive resume.
For Hull, holding off the hard-charging Korda would mark the biggest win of her career and serve notice that she is ready to compete with the elite players on the LPGA Tour on a consistent basis. The 26-year-old Englishwoman has long been considered a promising talent, and a triumph over Korda would undoubtedly elevate her status in the game.
A Sunday to Remember
As the sun rises on Sunday morning, golf fans around the world will be eagerly anticipating the final round of The Annika. With Korda and Hull separated by the slimmest of margins, the stage is set for an unforgettable day of golf at the Pelican Golf Club.
Will Nelly Korda complete her remarkable comeback and claim another signature victory, or will Charley Hull hold steady under pressure and secure the biggest win of her promising career? Regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain: the final round of The Annika will be a must-watch event for golf enthusiasts everywhere.
| Golfer | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
| Charley Hull | 65 | 65 | 68 | -12 |
| Nelly Korda | 67 | 64 | 67 | -11 |
| Zhang Weiwei | 70 | 66 | 62 | -11 |
As the leaderboard shows, Hull and Korda have separated themselves from the field, with only Zhang Weiwei within striking distance at 11-under par. The Chinese golfer’s impressive third-round 62 vaulted her into contention, adding another layer of intrigue to the final round proceedings.
The Road to the CME Group Tour Championship
Beyond the excitement of the final round duel between Korda and Hull, The Annika also serves as a crucial stepping stone on the path to the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. With only one event remaining before the elite field is set for the $4 million showdown in Naples, Florida, every shot takes on added significance.
For players like Germany’s Olivia Cowan, who sits in sixth place and 116th in the Race to the CME Globe standings, a strong finish at The Annika could mean the difference between securing a spot in the season finale and missing out on the chance to compete for the biggest prize in women’s golf.
As the sun sets on The Annika and rises on the final round showdown between Nelly Korda and Charley Hull, golf fans around the world will be treated to a captivating display of skill, determination, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines the LPGA Tour. With so much on the line, both personally and professionally, Korda and Hull are poised to deliver a Sunday to remember at the Pelican Golf Club.
