Nelly Korda back to world number one after landing third career major at Chevron Championship

Nelly Korda has returned to world number one after landing her third career major title at the Chevron Championship.

Korda closed with two-under 70 to seal a commanding five-shot victory on 18-under par at Memorial Park GC in Houston. 

The victory moves the American back to world number one, and it also marks her second win of the season.

Korda has now finished first, second, second, second, first in her first five starts of 2026. 

The 27-year-old is now just the third player in LPGA history to open a season with five straight finishes of tied second or better. The only others to achieve this remarkable run were Karrie Webb in 2000 and Annika Sorenstam in 2001 — both of whom went on to claim major titles in those same seasons.

Korda's win at Memorial Park GC marks the 17th LPGA title of her career. Before turning 28, only six American players had reached that milestone: Patty Berg, Louise Suggs, Betsy Rawls, Mickey Wright, Kathy Whitworth and Amy Alcott. She now joins that elite group as the seventh.

After leading by six shots entering the weekend, Korda knew the tournament was hers to lose with two rounds to play, but she admitted after the tournament that holding a huge lead was difficult to deal with. 

“That was a hard weekend,” said Korda, who closed with weekend rounds of 70. 

“Honestly, having that big of a lead, it’s not easy. It was definitely one of the hardest things I’ve had to do mentally, but just happy to get it done.”

Korda earns $1.35m for the victory. 

Check out all the prize money payouts from the Chevron Championship. 

She the moment in the most fitting way — diving cannonball-style into a make-shift pool beside the 18th green, continuing a tradition that began in 1988 when the champion leapt into Poppie’s Pond at Mission Hills in the California desert.

Patty Tavatanakit and Ruoning Yin finished in a share of second on 13-under par.

Yan Liu and Ina Yoon rounded out the top five on 12-under par.

England's Lottie Woad finished in a tie for seventh on 6-under par, with her compatriot Charley Hull a further back in a tie for 10th.

Korda began the final round with a five-shot lead.

The margin was reduced to four shots briefly at the turn, but two birdies on 13 and 14 saw Korda open up a five-shot lead on her rivals once more.

Korda bogeyed the 17th but the tournament was over by then.

She then made a 10 footer for par on the 18th to land her second career win at the Chevron Championship and a thrid career major title. 

Korda won the Chevron in 2024 when it was staged at Carlton Woods at The Woodlands.

She won her first major at the Women's PGA at Atlanta Country Club in 2001.