Yang Heeyoung Finishes Runner-up... "Hates the Cold Snap"
by Roh Woolae
Published 02 Feb.2026 05:08(KST)
Updated 03 Feb.2026 07:39(KST)
Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament Shortened to 54 Holes Due to Severe Weather
Yang Heeyoung Even Par on Remaining Two Holes After Play Suspended by Strong Winds
Korda Claims Victory, Lydia Ko Finishes Fourth, Hwang Yoomin Ties for Fifth
Yang Heeyoung was unable to seize a comeback opportunity due to the cold snap in the United States.
On February 1 (local time), at the Lake Nona Golf and Country Club (par 72, 6,624 yards) in Orlando, Florida, Yang competed in the remaining two holes of the third round of the 2026 LPGA Tour season opener, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions (TOC, total prize money of $2.1 million). She was unable to lower her score and finished as the runner-up with a total score of 10-under-par 206. She made pars on both the 17th hole (par 3) and the final 18th hole (par 4).
Yang Heeyoung is teeing off at the 1st hole of the 3rd round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. Orlando=AFP Yonhap News
원본보기 아이콘In the final fourth round, Yang was aiming for her seventh career victory since the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, a major tournament in June 2024, but was hampered by severe weather. The tournament was suspended the previous day due to strong winds, and the start was delayed on this day because of sub-zero temperatures. Ultimately, the LPGA Tour reduced the tournament from 72 holes over four days to a 54-hole event.
World No. 2 Nelly Korda (USA) claimed a fortunate victory with a score of 13-under-par 203. Having surged ahead with a 6-under-par 66 the previous day to take a three-shot lead, she secured the title as the tournament was shortened due to the cold wave. This marked her 16th career win and her first in one year and three months since the Annika Driven in November 2024, earning her a winner's purse of $315,000 (approximately 450 million won). Korda collected as many as seven wins during the 2024 season but went winless last year.
Brooke Henderson (Canada) finished third (7-under-par 209), Lydia Ko (New Zealand) took fourth (6-under-par 210), and Hwang Yoomin, who debuted on the LPGA Tour this year, tied for fifth (5-under-par 211). World No. 1 Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand) tied for seventh (4-under-par 212), while Kim A-lim, last year's champion, along with Yoo Haeran and Lee Somi, tied for ninth (3-under-par 213). Lim Jinhui finished the tournament in 33rd place (7-over-par 223).
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