Over the last three years, Nelly Korda of Bradenton, Florida has been knocking on the door when it has come to winning a major championship. She had five top-10 finishes at major events since 2018, and prior to the 2021 Women’s PGA Championship, had moved to number three in the world. On Sunday, Korda opened the door when it came to the opportunity of winning a major, and slammed the door shut behind her.
At the Atlanta Athletic Club in Georgia this past weekend, Korda shot a four-round score of -19 at the 2021 Women’s PGA Championship to beat Lizette Salas of Azusa, California by three strokes. Korda and Salas were in control of the tournament ever since round two.
In-gee Chun of South Korea remains the record holder for the best four-round score ever at a major. Chun posted a score of -21 at the 2016 Evian Championship in France. For a period of time on Sunday, Korda was at -21, but had a double bogey on the par-three 15th hole when her tee shot landed in the water.
Korda’s score of -19 was tied for the best ever score in the history of the Women’s PGA Championship. American Cristie Kerr of Miami, Florida shot a four-round score of -19 in 2010. Yani Tseng of Taiwan repeated the four-round score of -19 in 2011. Then Inbee Park of South Korea shot a 72-hole score of -19 in 2015 when she won her third Women’s PGA Championship.
Australian Karrie Webb and England’s Karen Stupples have each posted four-round scores of -19 to win the Women’s British Open. Webb achieved the feat in 1997 and Stupples in 2004. American Dottie Pepper meanwhile reached -19 at the 1999 ANA Inspiration.
A major reason why Korda beat Salas on the weekend was because she recorded two eagles in the fourth round. Korda now jumps to number one in the world and will represent the United States in women’s golf at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021.
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