As Rory McIlroy makes his return to the golf course following his achievement of the career Grand Slam at the Masters, focus will shift to the LPGA Tour this week. The best female golfers in the world will battle it out at the Chevron Championship, marking the first major event of the year.
Top-ranked golfer Nelly Korda aims to defend her title at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas. Korda made history last year by becoming only the third golfer to secure five straight wins in LPGA history, joining the ranks of Nancy Lopez and Annika Sörenstam, although she has yet to claim a victory this season.
After his recent victory over Justin Rose in a playoff at Augusta National, McIlroy is set to compete alongside his partner Shane Lowry at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the only team event on the PGA Tour calendar.
Korda’s Major Title Defense
Last year, Korda entered the Chevron Championship after already securing four victories and ultimately won, earning her second major championship. She went on to achieve seven wins in 2024, including the Mizuho Americas Open and The Annika. This year, however, she’ll be seeking her first win as she continues her campaign, having finished as runner-up in her season opener in February.
“I think last year is behind me,” Korda reflected. “It’s a new year, and while what I achieved last year is memorable, I need to focus on this week with a fresh mindset.”
Lilia Vu’s Comeback
2023 Chevron Championship titleholder Lilia Vu expressed her uncertainty about returning to golf after withdrawing from last year’s tournament due to a back injury. She shared that prior to her withdrawal, she couldn’t hit the ball 40 yards.
“Last year, I panicked about whether I could ever golf again,” Vu explained. “At that point, I wasn’t even concerned with defending; I just wanted to play.”
Zhang’s Injury Setback
Two-time NCAA Division I national champion Rose Zhang is out again due to a neck injury sustained during the T-Mobile Match Play. Recently, she shared her struggles regarding the injury but remains optimistic about returning to peak performance.
Excitement for Ingrid Lindblad
Following her recent LPGA win in only her third tournament, rookie golfer Ingrid Lindblad received congratulations from golf legends including Annika Sörenstam. Lindblad has made a name for herself in women’s professional golf with accomplishments like being ranked No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Her rapid rise in the sport is indicative of her potential for future success.
Thomas’s Newfound Putting Skills
After securing his first PGA Tour win in nearly three years at the RBC Heritage, Justin Thomas attributed his improved putting skills to insights from fellow golfer Xander Schauffele. Thomas realized he needed a consistent approach for practicing his putting after Schauffele shared his techniques.
