The fifth edition of LPGA Tour’s DIO Implant LA Open has ended, with China’s Ruoning Yin emerging victorious. 20-year-old Yin defeated England’s Georgia Hall to take home a whopping $262,500 in earnings from an overall purse of $1.75 million. Fan favorite and world no. 2 Nelly Korda finished fifth at the Palos Verdes Golf Club, walking away with $65,858.
Korda’s strong finish at the LA Open came after she surprisingly finished T-57 at last month’s LPGA Drive On Championship. Loyal fans of the 24-year-old were disappointed to learn that the golf star won’t be competing at the upcoming LPGA Lotte Championship.
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Nelly Korda to miss out on Lotte Championship in Hawaii
The LPGA Lotte Championship will take place at the Hoakalei Country Club from April 9 to April 15. Korda’s fans were surprised to learn that the in-form golfer will skip this LPGA event in Hawaii. The Olympic gold medallist will return to action for the Chevron Championship 2023 at the club at Carlton Woods, starting from April 19. Korda, who missed last year’s edition due to an injury, is excited to make a comeback.
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Sep 3, 2021; Toledo, Ohio, USA; Nelly Korda of Team USA tees off on the second hole during the final practice round of the 2021 Solheim Cup at Inverness Club. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
The 24-year-old revealed, “Missing out last year was so tough so I am definitely excited to be playing this year. I am really looking forward to this season and the first major in April at The Chevron Championship and, hopefully, a really strong major season. I am excited to get to The Woodlands and see the course at Carlton Woods.”
World no. 1 Lydia Ko will also lead the field for the opening LPGA Tour major of the season at Carlton Woods. Both Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko appeared at the recently concluded DIO Implant LA Open. The latter tied for T-34, taking home $10,975.
Ruoning Yin wins the LPGA DIO Implant LA Open
The LPGA Tour’s DIO Implant LA Open drew to an end on Sunday, with China’s Ruoning Yin clinching the trophy. Yin’s win came in normal time as the Chinese golfer narrowly avoided a playoff at Palos Verdes. The 20-year-old took home $262,500 in earnings, the standard 15% payout of the $1.75 million prize purse.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 23: Jin Young Ko of South Korea plays her shot on the second tee during the third round of the HUGEL-AIR PREMIA LA Open held at Wilshire Country Club on April 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Georgia Hall, who recorded yet another 2nd place finish after last month’s LPGA Drive On Championship, received $159,720. World no. 3 Ko Jin-Young finished at T25 and walked away with $14,351. Last year’s champion, Nasa Hataoka, tied at T7 with Danielle Kang and Minami Katsu. All three golfers walked away with $43,869 each.
After the LA Open, the LPGA Tour will kick off the Lotte Championship next. Once the latter is over, the first major of the 2023 season, the Chevron Championship, will begin on April 19.
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Do you think Korda will be able to keep her momentum going in the upcoming major tournament? Let us know in the comments below!
Written by
Edited by
Akash Pandhare