Nelly Korda wins third LPGA title of 2026, inches closer to Hall of Fame

Nelly Korda became the youngest player since Nancy Lopez in 1980 to reach 18 career victories on the LPGA. The 27-year-old backed up a dominant win at the season's first major with a four-shot victory at the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba.

Korda hasn't finished outside the top 2 in six starts this season. With three victories, she has lost to only two players all year: Hyo Joo Kim (twice) and Lauren Coughlin.

"I'm just enjoying myself, and I love the competition," said Korda, when asked after the round if she's playing the best golf of her career. In 2024, Korda won six of her first eight starts of the season.

The newly-minted world No. 1 Korda flew straight from the Chevron Championship in Houston down to Mexico and took Monday off, enjoying tacos and guac on the beach. By Tuesday, she was back to work, managing her energy levels throughout the week to perfection.

How rare is a big win after a major win?

Only three times in LPGA history has a player won by five or more shots after winning a major: Lorena Ochoa (2008 Corona Championship, 11 shots), Louise Suggs (1952 All-America Women's Open, 9 shots) and Se Ri Pak (1998 Jamie Farr Kroger, 9 shots).

Korda closed with a 69 on Sunday to finish at 17 under for the tournament. She led by as many as seven in the final round. Thailand's Arpichaya Yubol, ranked 187th in the world, finished solo second on her 24th birthday. Yubol called it a dream come true to be paired with Korda in the final round.

One of only three top-20 players in Mayakoba and the only one in the top 10, Korda was also the only winner of the season in the field of 125. With so many top players taking the week off, it was a significant opportunity for those needing a big push.

Not long after Brianna Do qualified for her first U.S. Women's Open in years, the journeywoman who ranks 345th in the world, took solo fourth after a closing 71. Both Do and third-place finisher Yu Liu earned spots in next week's field at the Mizuho Americas Open due to their strong play.

Rookie Melanie Green started the week with an ace she never saw and ended it with a share of ninth, her second top 10 of the season.

Recent Augusta National Women's Amateur champion Maria Jose Marin put together a stellar performance, finishing solo fifth to earn two LEAP points toward her LPGA card. Marin, who was born in Mexico, turned down an invitation to play in last week's Chevron Championship as it overlapped with SECs."Ever since Augusta my life has changed and changed for the good," said Marin. "I'm getting a lot of invitations into tournaments and getting recognized more than I have ever been."