By: Max Bechtoldt.
If someone were to say the two best chippers on the LPGA Tour are Lydia Ko and Nelly Korda, it would be tough to argue against. Lydia Ko has rode her short game to a near hall-of-fame career, and Korda has become known for her love of chipping the ball even when it is just inches off the green.
Korda may be best known to many fans for her firepower off the tee and accuracy on approach, but it is actually her ability to chip that may be the most impressive. Don’t believe me? Ask PGA Tour star Tony Finau who said in the lead up to the Grant Thornton Invitational: “I’m always trying to get little tips on how to chip around these greens. She’s as good a chipper as you’ll see on Bermuda… I already picked up a few things watching her.”
Lydia Ko on the other hand has been one of the best around the greens since she broke out at 15-years-old. She has needed it as well, being one of the more inconsistent long-range stars on the tour. Ko’s career has been one defined by her ability to scramble around the greens. In her 2022 Player of the Year season, Ko was No. 115 on the LPGA Tour in strokes gained driving.
On Sunday in Bradenton Fla., the Drive On Championship showed why these skills are so important.
On the first playoff hole, Ko hit a wayward second shot that nearly went into the stands. Meanwhile, Korda had a makable putt for birdie after a crushed tee shot left her with a short distance. Ko hit a solid chip when she needed it most to force another hole.
The second playoff hole, the roles were reversed, with Nelly going too long on her approach, leaving her under the grand stands. After taking her drop, Korda responded with a great chip of her own to put herself in position to save par. With a shocking three-putt from Ko, it was enough for Korda to take the win.
