Ford Championship: Nelly Korda Aims to Defend Her Crown Amidst Fierce Competition
The LPGA Tour makes a triumphant return to the United States, setting the stage for the much-anticipated Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass. Scheduled from March 27-30, this prestigious event will unfold at the Whirlwind Golf Club’s Cattail Course in Chandler, Arizona. Golf enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting this showdown, especially with Italy’s rising star Benedetta Moresco ready to make her third appearance of the season.
Nelly Korda, the undisputed queen of the golf world, is set to defend her title. At just 26, Korda boasts an impressive resume with 15 titles on the circuit, including two Major championships. Her accolades extend beyond the LPGA Tour, with triumphs on the Ladies European Tour, the Symetra Tour, and an Olympic gold medal from Tokyo. This event promises to be a fierce competition as nearly all top-ranked players will be vying for the crown. Among the elite competitors are 18 of the top 20 players in the Rolex Ranking, including the formidable top ten.
The competition is fierce, with notable contenders like New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, currently ranked third, and Angel Yin, holding the 11th spot. Japan’s Rio Takeda, another top contender, has already tasted victory this year. Also in the mix are Yealimi Noh and Korea’s A Lim Kim, both of whom have demonstrated their prowess outside the top 20.
Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul, ranked second, is in sensational form. Although she has yet to clinch a victory on the LPGA Tour, her recent win at the PIF Saudi Ladies International on the Ladies European Tour has cemented her status as a player to watch. The competition will also see top-ranked players from fourth to tenth, including China’s Ruoning Yin, Australia’s Hannah Green, and Korea’s Jin Young Ko.
The lineup brims with talent, featuring golfers like Megan Khang, Rose Zhang, Jennifer Kupcho, and Sarah Schmelzel. International stars such as France’s Celine Boutier, Japan’s Nasa Hataoka, and Canada’s Brooke M. Henderson add further intrigue to the tournament.
Benedetta Moresco, having secured her LPGA Tour card by finishing 18th in the Q-Series Final Qualifying Stage in December, is determined to make her mark. Her previous performances, finishing 23rd in the Founders Cup and 33rd in the Blue Bay LPGA, demonstrate her potential to shake up the leaderboard.
This high-stakes tournament boasts a substantial prize pool of $2,250,000, with the winner set to take home a staggering $375,000. As the Ford Championship unfolds, all eyes will be on Chandler, Arizona, for what promises to be an electrifying display of golfing excellence.
