The Women’s PGA Championship has now arrived, with Nelly Korda and Charley Hull among those looking to win the major.
It takes place at Hazeltine National Golf Club this week, and features the largest purse in the history of women’s golf.
A total purse of $13million has been confirmed for the event, with 156 players set to battle it out in Chaska, Minnesota.
And ahead of her 10th appearance at the Women’s PGA Championship, world number one Korda has shared her verdict on the host course.
Nelly Korda’s thoughts on Hazeltine as it hosts the Women’s PGA Championship
Asked to compare Hazeltine now with the last time it hosted the event in 2019, Korda said of the changes and challenges: “I think the only change that I really remember is we were on a different tee box on 16.
“So we were a little higher up; we were by the water.
“Conditions are great.
“I know that we got a lot of rain yesterday, which probably helped the golf course a little bit.
“It was definitely firm and fast.
“The greens are pretty bare so I think that’s a really big defense of this golf course, is actually going to be like distance control and speed just because there is a lot of undulation and it is fast.
“This afternoon the winds were pretty high, so that does affect the putts a little bit more.
“But overall, I mean, the golf course is in great condition.”
Korda impressed at the tournament in 2019, when she finished in a tie for third on six-under, three shots behind winner Hannah Green.
Charley Hull loves ‘really good’ Hazeltine course
Korda’s fellow LPGA star Charley Hull was also involved that year, but unlike the American, the Englishwoman missed the cut.
She has also given her opinion on Hazeltine this time around, saying of the course and initially her week so far: “It’s been good.
“I got here on Sunday, Sunday evening, and the golf course is really good.
“I felt like playing out here on Monday the greens were pretty quick.
“Usually in a major week they kind of just get them quicker as the week goes on, but I felt like it’s been pretty much quick from the get-go.”
Sharing what she has learned or remembers differently from her last visit, she said: “I remember last time… I don’t remember too much, but I remember last time being quite wet, and now it’s actually quite dry here.
“Like the greens seem kind of a bit more… not burnt out, but a little bit more crusty to them than it was last time.
“It’s a good golf course.
“The back nine is very challenging, has some very challenging holes.”
And when asked if the course suits her aggressive style, she replied: “Yeah, I think it is.
“I think it is a challenging golf course, and there are birdie opportunities out there.
“Also, you’ve got the very difficult irons this week because it’s narrow greens.”
While she is yet to win on the LPGA Tour in 2026, Hull has enjoyed an impressive campaign, most recently finishing T2 at the US Women’s Open.
But all eyes are undoubtedly on her rival Korda, who boasts four wins this season, including victories at both The Chevron Championship and the US Women’s Open.
Read more: LPGA chief salutes ‘superstar’ Nelly Korda as record-breaking $13m update confirmed
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