Full Breakdown
Korda’s Historic Bid at Hazeltine: Chasing a Third Straight Major
6/26/2026, 1:01:47 PM
Background & Season Context
World No. 1 Nelly Korda entered the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship after winning the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open, the first two majors of the season. A victory would make her the third player—after Inbee Park (2013) and Babe Zaharias (1950)—to capture the first three majors in a calendar year. It would also supply the two points she needs to reach the 27-point threshold for LPGA Hall-of-Fame eligibility, where she currently sits at 25.
First-Round Overview
The tournament opened at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. South Korea’s 23-year-old Ina Yoon posted a record-tying 63 (-9), taking a two-stroke lead over Australia’s Karis Davidson (65, -7). Korda carded a 70 (-2) after a double-bogey on the 16th when a “one bad swing” sent her drive into the water, followed by a three-putt. She finished tied for 19th, seven strokes behind Yoon.
Key Players & Field
Besides Korda, the field featured defending champion Minjee Lee, world-ranked Jeeno Thitikul, Hyo Joo Kim, Charley Hull, and rising talents A Lim Kim and Alexa Pano. Hull, who has finished runner-up in multiple majors, noted the psychological weight of repeatedly finishing second.
Data & Stakes
- Purse: $13 million (record for women’s golf).
- Points: Each major win is worth two Hall-of-Fame points; Korda needs two more.
- Historical benchmark: Only Park and Zaharias have won the first three majors in a season.
- Course: Hazeltine’s 16th hole is a left-to-right dogleg with water on the left, demanding precise club selection.
Official Statements & Responses
Korda emphasized a “stay-in-the-moment” approach, saying she prefers to remain unaware of her Hall-of-Fame point total to avoid added pressure. Championship Director Laura Frick highlighted Korda’s prior success at Hazeltine, noting her four wins there earlier in 2026. The LPGA reiterated that the $13 million purse reflects the tour’s growth and that the event’s record-tying scoring conditions were “firm and fast” after recent rain.
Criticism & Opposition
Charley Hull expressed frustration with repeatedly finishing second, stating, “It just gets sorer and sorer every time I come second in a major.” Her comment underscores the competitive tension surrounding Korda’s pursuit.
On-the-Ground Reports
Yoon described her round as “an awesome experience,” adding that she “just try to think nothing, focus on what I need to do, focus on process.” American rookie Alexa Pano remarked, “Just trying to go out there and make solid swings,” reflecting the broader field’s focus on fundamentals.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I kind of like to be oblivious about it in that way,” — Nelly Korda, World No. 1
- “I just hit the golf ball and it just dropped in the hole and it was really an awesome experience,” — Ina Yoon, South Korea
- “It just gets sorer and sorer every time I come second in a major,” — Charley Hull, LPGA player
- “I don’t want to put extra pressure on myself. I feel like the game of golf is already hard enough. If I add more pressure on myself then it’s going to be even harder.” — Nelly Korda
What’s Next
Round 2 will test whether Yoon can sustain her historic start and if Korda can close the seven-stroke gap. A win would secure Korda’s Hall-of-Fame entry and place her on the cusp of a career Grand Slam, with the Women’s British Open and Evian Championship remaining as the final majors to complete the set.
