In the semifinals of the T-Mobile Match Play held in North Las Vegas, Nevada, Nelly Korda showcased her dominance by defeating Narin An 4 and 3, positioning herself just one match away from securing her fourth consecutive LPGA Tour victory. Korda, the current world's top-ranked player, will face off against Leona Maguire in the final on Sunday, who triumphed over Sei Young Kim with a score of 3 and 2.
If Korda emerges victorious in the final, she will achieve a remarkable feat as the first LPGA Tour player to win four consecutive starts since Lorena Ochoa in 2008. The all-time record of five consecutive wins is held jointly by Nancy Lopez in 1978 and Annika Sorenstam in 2004-2005.
Korda, who took a seven-week break from the Asian part of the schedule after her January win in Bradenton, Florida, is on the verge of clinching her third consecutive victory in a scheduled event. With a potential win this weekend, she could equal the record of four straight wins, a feat achieved by four players, including Mickey Wright twice.
Leona Maguire, Korda's opponent in the final, acknowledged Korda's exceptional form, describing her as the best player in the world at present. Maguire, who has faced Korda in team matches for Europe in the Solheim Cup, anticipates a tough battle and is eager to challenge herself against Korda's formidable skills.
In the semifinals, Korda dominated her match against An, establishing a 5-up lead through seven holes. Despite a brief resurgence from An, Korda maintained her advantage and secured her spot in the final. Maguire, on the other hand, displayed resilience in her match against Kim, ultimately securing a comfortable victory.
The tournament, which has been affected by challenging weather conditions, saw improved conditions on Saturday with reduced winds and temperatures in the 60s during afternoon play. Korda's path to the final included a victory over Angel Yin, while Maguire defeated Moriya Jutanugarn to advance.
As the stage is set for an exciting final showdown between Korda and Maguire, golf enthusiasts eagerly anticipate witnessing a clash between two exceptional talents vying for victory.
