Nelly Korda to defend LPGA Tour title in Bradenton. But there are new rules this year

Nelly Korda follows the trajectory of her golf ball on hole 5 during the first round of the LPGA at Bradenton Country Club on Thursday. (Tiffany Tompkins/ttompkins@bradenton.com)More
A year ago, Bradenton native Nelly Korda captured an LPGA Tour title in her hometown.

It wasn’t without drama. Korda shook off some final-round struggles to defeat Lydia Ko in a playoff at Bradenton Country Club in 2024.

The victory was the first of five wins in five starts for Korda.

She finished the season with seven wins, cementing her spot as the No. 1 ranked player in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings and the Rolex Player of the Year award.

On the eve of the LPGA Tour’s return to Bradenton Country Club, Korda reflected on her hometown win.