ORLANDO, Fla. — Even the best players in the world come up short sometimes, even when putting forth their finest effort.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda suffered this fate on Sunday at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, where a 7-under 65 was not enough in the end. She began the day at 11-under par, made a flurry of birdies on the front nine, and quickly found herself near the top of the leaderboard when she made the turn.
But a short miss for birdie on the par-4 10th briefly stymied her momentum. Yet, hree birdies over her next five holes followed. By the time she walked off the 15th green, she held a share of the lead with A. Lin Kim at 17-under par.
“This is what I love about golf, being in the hunt on a Sunday going down the back nine,” Korda said.
Since Kim played in the group behind Korda, she still had the easy par-5 15th to play. The South Korean easily birdied that hole, regaining the lead — one that she did not relinquish. Kim then made birdie putts on the 16th and 18th holes to cement herself as the champion, making Korda’s lengthy birdie on the last all but obsolete.
“I just tried to plot my way around the golf course,” Korda said.
“It’s never good when you get too ahead of yourself and get antsy and anxious, so I just really took it one shot at time. That’s something my caddy Jason always reminds me of as well. You just have to stay very present. I think that’s one tool that I use to really stay calm and present out there.”
Despite making a ferocious run on Sunday, Korda looked as cool and calm as ever. She never looked tense, nor did she look stressed. She remained even-keeled throughout.
“I was just really thinking of one shot at a time,” Korda added.
“I knew it was going to take a really good round today to catch her.”
Korda almost pulled it off, but unfortunately, it was not enough.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.
