Nelly Korda earned her first win of 2023 with a four-stroke in the Team Aramco Series at the Centurion Club.
This was Aramco’s second title in the American Aramco Team Series after winning the Aramco Team Series – Sotogrande last year. The 24-year-old confirmed her admiration for the innovative format that combines team and solo play with an end-to-end drive at Centurion Club.
Korda tied the lead with Charlie Hull after the first round, then on the second day, played brilliantly in windy conditions to open a five-shot lead.
Hull started chasing down the final day, a week after her second showing at the US Women’s Open. The English ace shot a whizzing 68 but had to settle for second place again, thanks to Korda’s consistency and class.
Korda shot a final day 71 to close at 11-under-par to win for the first time since the Pelican Women’s Championship the previous November.
Korda said: “I’ve been putting in a lot of work lately and it’s good that it’s paying off. I knew Charlie was going to run for him; I think everyone was trying. It’s hard being the one up front and everyone’s trying to get to him. I just stuck to my game and took it.” One by one. As boring as it sounds, it worked. I have Evian and the AIG Women’s Open, and I hope I learned a little bit about the weather this week and can take that momentum into the next two big events.”
Korda handled torrential rain on Friday and sustained high winds on Saturday – the latter describing it as “probably, the three best rough conditions I’ve ever played in”. She also added that her second inning and fourth-under par 69 ranked in “the three best innings of my life”.
Korda added, “It was a great test of golf. It was so much fun playing in that weather. Growing up in Florida, it’s hot. It gets windy sometimes, but not all the elements are thrown at you at once in one day. It was so much fun.” Getting shots that I don’t normally do and kind of creative there – all in all, I really enjoyed my playing experience.”
Chance Hull took a hit with her Saturday round of 76 as exhaustion in recent weeks wore her down. But she responded well to finish the tournament on a high.
Hull said: “It was fun out there. It was good to play in front of the home crowd. I felt like I was a bit wrecked, but I got a good rest last night, and I felt a lot better today. I’m looking forward to just relaxing next week and maybe not being on a golf course.” A lot – just doing a lot of field sessions. I feel really good. I feel like my game is in good shape – second last week and second this week. Hopefully a win is coming soon.”
Georgia Hall led her foursome to victory in the 36-hole team event. The English golfer alongside Kylie Henry, Leah-Anne Bramwell and amateur Michael Ostick to finish 24-under-par – one short of the Hull team.
More importantly, when one of us came out of a hole, another player came in and managed to salvage that level or get that birdie, Hall said. Tour, and that was also helpful.”
Henry paid tribute to team captain Hall, who went into the 35th hole and then birdied the latter after a sweet close.
Henry said: “Amazing – what a great finish to her. She cracked inside and then the eagle, she just hit a great 3 wood, there was absolutely no doubt about the batting. So it was great for the team – we were definitely happy.”