By: Max Bechtoldt
Time for another edition of The Power Five, where I will once again be ranking my best bets to compete every week on The LPGA Tour.
5. Ally Ewing – I liked what I saw out of Ewing a lot last week. A player with a lot to prove heading into another Solheim Cup year, Ewing’s putter looked solid, which is always a bit of a question mark with her. She finished in T4, once again a victim of inconsistency, shooting 68-72-68-72. But I think her game looks to be in solid shape.
4. Leona Maguire – Maguire quietly jumped up the leaderboard Sunday in Orlando, shooting a final round 68 after three rounds in a row at even par. Maguire’s putter wasn’t in great shape all week, she had two rounds with 30 or more putts, but her game off the tee was fantastic, hitting 45/56 fairways.
3. Nelly Korda – It was an odd opening tournament for Korda, finishing T16 and showing statistics all over the place. In round one she hit 17 greens but had 33 putts. On Friday her putting numbers were better, leading to her best round of the week, but her iron game was weak. Korda is playing in her hometown and should have plenty of support behind her. She’s at home, with a course one would presume she has some knowledge of. Expect a better finish here.
2. Ayaka Furue – There really isn’t a safer bet on the LPGA Tour to compete than Ayaka Furue. In 2023, Furue may not have won, but she had seven top-10 finishes compared to only two missed cuts. She continued that at the Tournament of Champions, posting an incredible first-round 65. A tournament record at Lake Nona. Furue hit 52/56 fairways en route to a T4 finish. Hit the ball off the tee like that, and you will succeed on any course.
1. Lydia Ko – There really isn’t any reason to believe that last week’s champion won’t be in contention again. Ko was consistent, shooting 70 or better all four days. Her putter looked good, with three days of 28 or less shots with the flat stick. Her approach shots were strong as well, hitting 17 greens on Friday and 15 on Saturday. Ko looked in control of all phases of her game, and once again looked like she was having fun on the course. This could once again be the season of Lydia Ko.
