Lilia Vu did it last year, and Nelly Korda did it in 2024. For years, the winner of the Chevron Championship, previously dubbed the ANA Inspiration, had to jump into a pond at the golf course at Mission Hills Country Club, where the major used to take place. However, after the event got shifted to The Club at Carlton Woods last year, the 2023 champ didn’t shy away from jumping into the nearby waterbody as well.

Now, come 2024. Korda was also spotted following the bizarre tradition of the prestigious event as she did a cannonball into the pond beside No. 18 at the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course. Naturally so, as she needed to cool herself down after winning five tournaments consecutively on the LPGA Tour.

With a score of 13-under 275, Nelly Korda managed to clinch her second major title and fifth win of the season in her sixth start at the 2024 Chevron Championship. What’s more, her $1.2 million win also helped her join the likes of Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam in a unique record, all the while cementing her position at the No. 1 spot on the Rolex Rankings.

“I can finally breathe,” exclaimed Korda after the tradition. Adding on, she confessed her nervous demeanor during the latter half of the day, as she said, “I was really nervous on that back nine. I really, really wanted this win. It feels amazing to get it.” Why? Well, she had gone ahead to bogey two holes, the 11th and 15th, both of which were par-4.

But not to worry, since she went ahead to card a birdie at the final hole, sealing her victory over the field. And, consequently, the golfer jumped into the pool as well. However, as she leaped into the history books with her exquisite diving form, many in the community couldn’t help but come forward and criticize the act, under the tweet shared by LPGA Tour on its X handle no less!

Nelly Korda’s cannonball causes drama on the internet

Back in 2023, Vu had spotted a snake at the waterbody beside the 17th hole. “We saw a snake on 17 Pond, so I was kind of thinking about that,” divulged the 2023 champ as she contemplated thinking about jumping into the pond. Moreover, other golfers were also of the same opinion, as Jennifer Kupcho agreed with the current No. 2 on the rankings when she said, “I think there might be snakes in the water here, so might be a little interesting.” Surprisingly, some followers also had a similar stance, as one person asked, “Doesn’t Texas have gators?” while others came forward with responses such as “I know this water tastes bad”, and “This jumping pond thing just pure silly, not good for athletes.” Fascinatingly, there was one reaction that stood out, humorously, that is, under the tweet; “Water looks like diarrhea.”

When the tournament was known as the ANA Inspiration, the winner used to jump into Poppie’s Pond after sealing the win on Sunday at Mission Hills Country Club. Interestingly, the tradition started when Amy Alcott, in 1988, asked her caddie Bill Kurre to “let it rip,” after which she took the iconic leap that LGPA Tour Pros follow to this day. Well, some users couldn’t wrap their heads around the act that Nelly Korda replicated as they dished out comments criticizing the tradition itself; “Glad Nelly won but I do not understand this tradition. And who are the others that took the plunge? I imagine one is her caddie, but the others? And what happens when they play at a course without a pond nearby? Is there an LPGA kiddy pool that travels with the Tour?” But, a certain ANA Inspiration fan came forward and claimed, “It ain’t the same as Mission Hills, no matter how hard they try.”

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Whatever the responses may be, one thing is for sure: Nelly Korda did enjoy taking part in the tradition, seeing as how she dove into the pond in nothing short of a stylish manner. Can’t help but agree when one other fan responded, “10/10 cannonball form!”