LPGA Stars Brooke Henderson, Nelly Korda Bring Early Momentum At Lake Nona

Brooke Henderson of Canada reacts with caddie Brittany Henderson after making her putt on the 18th … [+] green during the first round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club on January 19, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

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Brooke Henderson began the opening day of the LPGA Tour’s 2023 season with a bang, a lot of optimism, and a lead by one stroke.

Henderson, who began Thursday at No. 7 in the Rolex World Rankings, kicked off the first day of the Hilton Grand Vacations HGV Tournament of Champions with a 5-under lead on the first day of competition. Henderson logged six birdies to shoot a 67 to take a 1-shot lead.

After her first round at Lake Nona in Orlando ended in the mid-afternoon, Henderson spoke to media about her swing feeling much more loose and free.

“It does feel really good to get off to a hot start—that’s always a great feeling,” said Henderson, who hails from Ontario, Canada.

The 25-year-old, who won two events last season, including her second career major, the Evian Championship, also spoke about her early momentum at Lake Nona.

“Hopefully, I can continue it the next three days, a lot of momentum, and lots of birdies,” Henderson said. “You really need to go low here if the conditions are going to stay as nice as they are.”

All pros competing in the HGV Tournament of Champions play in grouping with at least one or two celebrity participants. Henderson has been paired throughout the tourney with Hall of Fame pitcher and Atlanta Braves legend John Smoltz, as well as longtime Major League Baseball star Josh Donaldson, who currently plays with the New York Yankees.

Henderson said that the variety of personalities on the course at the HGV Tournament of Champions makes for an exciting event.

“Playing with the celebrities is so much fun and the atmosphere is just always amazing with the fans, too,” Henderson said. I always look forward to the event, and to be here is just awesome.

Henderson also hints that the festive mood at this first event of the LPGA Tour season is one that comes with less tension too. It’s one that is letting her rebound from a 2022 season in which she did post wins but was held back by some injuries.

“It was kind of a strange off-season for me because right after CME, I had to take a lot of time off to heal my back, so it was really weird not practicing for a while,” Henderson added. “I went through a lot of changes in the off-season, but all the clubs worked really well today, which is great, and shoot 5-under to start the season off feels really good.’

Nelly Korda: Watch More Women’s Golf

Also bringing a barrage of early momentum at the HGV Tournament of Champions is Nelly Korda, Olympic gold medalist and current world No. 2 on the Rolex Rankings. Korda sat in second place behind Henderson, entering Day Two of the HGV, on Friday, January 20.

After a landmark 2021 season in which Korda bagged four victories—including her first major title at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship—Korda was also named the world’s No. 1 player. Right after that, Korda, 24, spent a handful of months in 2022 on the sideline.

In March of last year, Korda’s season came to an abrupt halt after being diagnosed with a blood clot in her left arm. She returned in May, and, further in the year staged a late-season surge to win the Pelican Women’s Championship, just an hour up the road from her hometown Bradenton, Fla., in November 2022.

“Obviously, appreciation grows when it’s taken away from you in that sense,” Korda said of her forced time off the course. “So, for sure I think I’ve just grown to appreciate (being back) a little bit more. Just simple things of getting to go on the range and hit some balls, hit some putts, and traveling.”

Wednesday, January 18, the younger of the two Korda sisters expressed joy in being able to compete again and play with people she enjoys at HGV.

“This is such a fun and unique event. I always have so much fun. I’m playing with (ex-Major League pitcher) Derek Lowe again first round. I played with him three times last year. I make sure to request him every year.”

Also grouped with Lowe and Korda is actor and well-known 1980s soap opera star Jack Wagner.

Lowe won the HGV’s celebrity competition after edging out World Golf Hall of Fame member and golf titan Annika Sörenstam. Current world No. 16 Danielle Kang won last year’s LPGA professional competition.

While the LPGA pros compete and tally their score via the usual stroke play over 72 holes (with no cut), celebrity participates use Modified Stableford scoring—zero points for a Double bogey, one point for Bogey, two points for making par, three for a Birdie, and five points for an Eagle.

Nelly Korda speaks with the media after playing the pro-am at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, Jan 18, … [+] 2023, a day before the HGV Tournament of Champions.

credit Andy Frye

Korda also commented about her success over the last two years and the fanfare around it all. When asked by a reporter about her 2022 comeback, she talked about what the takeaway was for golf observers.

“That they should watch more women’s golf. (Laughter.) Honestly, no, it was such an incredible experience. (Everyone was) very kind with their words towards me—but I think if they came out here and watched all the girls compete they would be equally impressed.”

As for the HGV Tournament of Champions in 2023, Korda said acknowledged the rust from being out part of last year but said she has very high hopes.

“For me, this week my expectations are obviously I’m going in wanting to win,” Korda said, after the pro-am round, Wednesday. “I’m just excited for tomorrow and see how it goes.”

Nelly Korda (R) is congratulated on her win by her sister Jessica Korda following the final round of … [+] the Pelican Women’s Championship at Pelican Golf Club on November 14, 2021 in Belleair, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

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Korda also pointed out, the course at Lake Nona has its challenges, like any course. The fact that she is playing with comedians, musicians, and retired football and baseball pros who double as amateurs, doesn’t make the course an easy one.

Korda said that Lake Nona’s greens will present the most difficulties to her short game.

“There (are) a lot of fall-offs on these greens. You have to hit it really well to give yourself a good opportunity,” Korda said. The course kind of reminds me a little bit of Concession (In Bradenton, Fla.) You have to hit good, quality shots, and be accurate, as well as read the subtle breaks on the greens with the Bermuda (grass) there.”