U.S.A’s Lauren Coughlin held off World No. 2 Nelly Korda to secure a dominant five-shot victory at the Aramco Championship in Las Vegas.
The 33-year-old started off strong on Sunday’s final round at Shadow Creek, opening with a birdie to extend her overnight lead to three over playing partner Korda, reaching 8 under. Her margin continued to expand after Korda bogeyed the 6th hole, and then birdied the 8th, as Korda failed to make par, seeing her advantage reach six shots.
Coughlin made her first pair of bogeys after the turn at holes 10 and 12, dropping to 7 under, but still maintaining her sizeable lead. Two more bogeys from Korda at the 13th and 15th dropped her to 1 under, leaving Coughlin with what looked like a certain path to victory from that point on. Despite a dropped shot from the Virginian at the 17th and a last-minute birdie from Korda at the 18th, Coughlin closed with a birdie of her own which sealed her a third career LPGA Tour triumph.
“I just know I played really, really great all week. Had a lot of fun. I’m just happy,” said Coughlin afterwards. “Definitely left a sour taste in my mouth last year not getting the W given how well I played all week, so makes it extra special this week.”
Coughlin becomes the fifth American wire-to-wire winner in Las Vegas since 2010. She also stands as the fourth athlete since 2000 to win three or more times in her 30s after securing her first victory at 30 years or older. At 33 years, 6 months and 9 days old, she is the oldest winner of the year, and joins Korda as only the second American to win in 2026. Following her two other 2024 LPGA Tour wins in Canada and Scotland, victory at Shadow Creek is an especially meaningful one as a first on homesoil for the American.
“I think it just means more because after 2024 – winning is hard, and I didn’t get it done earlier in the year last year when I had a couple of chances, and that really bothered me,” said Coughlin. “I was like, ‘What if I don’t ever get to do it again? What if that’s the best golf I ever played in 2024?’ Those thoughts were hard not to think last year. Grant Thornton, people keep not giving me credit for Grant Thornton. I’m a PGA Tour winner, you know? Winning Grant Thornton was really nice, too, having to make some putts coming down the stretch there and hitting some shots.
“I think it definitely means more just because you never know if you’re going to get the chance again. I was lucky enough to get it done.”
After a turbulent round of her own, Ireland’s Maguire finished alongside Korda in second after a closing with a birdie at the last. Japan’s Miyu Yamashita finished a shot adrift at 1 under for fourth with her compatriot Akie Iwai and Australia’s Karis Davidson tied for fifth at even par.
What is the next event?
The next event on the LPGA Tour is JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro taking place between 16-19 April at El Caballero Country Club in Los Angeles, CA.