NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. — After narrowly missing out on victory at Shadow Creek last year, Lauren Coughlin ensured that there was no doubt about her win on Sunday in the Aramco Championship.
She secured a five-shot victory over Nelly Korda and the rest of the elite field, marking her first triumph in two years.
Coughlin carded an even-par 72 for a total of 7-under, earning the 33-year-old from Virginia $600,000. This victory represents her third LPGA Tour title and her first on U.S. soil, following wins in Canada and Scotland in 2024.
“I think it just means more because after 2024 and not winning is hard,” Coughlin stated. “I didn’t succeed earlier in the year last year when I had a couple of opportunities, and that really troubled me. I was thinking, ‘What if I never get to do it again? What if that was the best golf I ever played in 2024?’ Those thoughts were difficult to avoid last year.”
Korda finished as the runner-up once more, shooting a 75 to end at 2 under. She managed her only birdie on the par-5 18th, avoiding a round without one for the first time since the opening day of The ANNIKA last November in the Tampa Bay area.
This marked her third consecutive second-place finish after starting her season with a victory in Orlando, Florida, which elevated Korda to No. 1 in the world rankings.
“I’m just going to stick to what I’m doing,” Korda remarked. “I’m really pleased with how my game is progressing, and sometimes when you push too hard and wear yourself out, it can lead to setbacks.”
Leona Maguire (71) also concluded at 2 under, with the only other player finishing under par being Miyu Yamashita (74) at 1 under.
Korda was not the only formidable opponent Coughlin had to surpass. The $4 million prize pool for the event, organized by Golf Saudi and co-sanctioned by the LPGA and Ladies European Tour, attracted 38 of the top 40 players. This was the first such event held in the United States, with more anticipated in North America.
Players likened this tournament to a major due to the difficulty of making birdies at Shadow Creek. Only four players finished under par for the event.
Coughlin, a former two-time ACC player of the year at Virginia, demonstrated her comfort at Shadow Creek, despite the format change from match play to stroke play this year. She was in the final pairing last year before losing 1-up to Madelene Sagstrom.
“It left a sour taste in my mouth,” Coughlin expressed. “Second is a good consolation, but winning is really enjoyable.”
Her confidence was apparent throughout the four days on the 6,765-yard course, which punishes players for poor shot placement. Coughlin was tied for the lead after the first round and maintained that position as others faltered.
She nearly turned the tournament into a rout at times on Friday and Saturday, but entering the final round, Coughlin held only a two-shot lead over Korda, the 2024 LPGA Tour Player of the Year. Korda finished the third round with back-to-back birdies, signaling that she was still in contention.
However, as the final round commenced, it quickly became evident which way the tournament was leaning. Coughlin began to extend her lead, effectively sealing her victory at the eighth green.
Coughlin sank a downhill right-to-left 45-footer for birdie on the par 3. Korda then proceeded to three-putt, including a miss on a 2-footer for par.
In an instant, Coughlin was at 9 under and Korda at 3 under — and the remainder of the round was largely a formality. Korda narrowed the gap to four shots when Coughlin bogeyed the 10th and 12th holes, but Korda also bogeyed Nos. 13 and 15, restoring the six-shot difference.
“Not just bogeys, but you can make a lot of big numbers out there,” Coughlin noted. “So I was adhering to my game plan and focusing on maintaining my routine as much as possible and making as many pars as I could.”
