Lydia Ko and Nelly Korda’s Championship Aspirations Challenged by Unexpected Cristie Kerr Threat
Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko are primed to go head-to-head at the Ford Championship by KCC. Korda and Ko have already faced off against each other in the LPGA Drive On Championship playoff. The Florida resident emerged victorious at that time. But in Arizona, both are facing an unlikely threat from Cristie Kerr.
Kerr, a 20-time LPGA Tour winner, is making her 2024 debut at Gilbert. The two-time major winner has been standing at the gates of the Hall of Fame for quite a while now. And while Korda and Ko are making headlines courtesy of their spectacular forms, Kerr has a chance to still steal the thunder from both.
A Cristie Kerr victory will thwart Lydia Ko and Korda’s shot at glory.
Korda, trophyless for more than a year after the 2022 Pelican Women’s Championship, returned to the winner’s circle in January. After a month’s break, the 26-year-old bagged her tenth LPGA Tour victory at the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship. Nelly Korda is eying a two-peat for the first time since her back-to-back victories at the Meijer LPGA Classic and the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in 2021.
For the sixth time in her career, @NellyKorda is world No. 1 ☝️ pic.twitter.com/0UMB9BWzmt
— LPGA (@LPGA) March 25, 2024
On the other hand, Lydia Ko is still chasing her LPGA Hall of Fame dreams. The Kiwi is just one point shy of the honors, and a victory here will seal that for the former World No. 1 Ko, who came close in January, but Korda got in her way. Naturally, it makes the Ford Championship battle even more interesting.
However, another potential entrant into the Hall of Fame has slipped into the field unnoticed. Kerr is sitting at 22 points, five short of the honors. A victory at the Seville Golf and Country Club will take her one step closer to her long-time dream. The two-time Major winner looks pumped up, stepping on the greens for the first time since the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open.
For Ko, a loss here will only delay what has been long overdue. The Kiwi went winless on the LPGA Tour last season. Additionally, the 26-year-old has a shot at becoming the youngest golfer ever inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame. Currently, Inbee Park holds that record. Inbee Park began her journey in 2016 at the age of 28.
How do golfers qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame?
An LPGA Tour pro needs 27 points to qualify for the Hall of Fame. Each LPGA Tour win guarantees one point towards that, while a major triumph earns two points. In addition, the Vare Trophy, given to the player with the lowest scoring average, and the Rolex Player of the Year Award offer one point each. Notably, Lydia Ko won both in 2022. Also, the LPGA awards one point for an Olympic gold medal as well.
If Lydia Ko wins at the Ford Championship, she will be the 35th inductee into the LPGA Hall of Fame. Korda, on the other hand, is looking to strengthen her grip over the No. 1 spot with a two-peat. But Cristie Kerr can pose a challenge, as the 46-year-old is harboring her own aspirations for the stage.
