For the third Sunday in a row, Nelly Korda went out in the feature group with a chance to win… and once again came away empty-handed. This time, moreover, without question. The one in command was Lauren Coughlin, who dominated the Aramco Championship from start to finish and took her third title on the LPGA Tour with unquestionable authority at the always demanding Shadow Creek.
The 33-year-old American recorded a big win, five strokes clear of Korda and Irishwoman Leona Maguire, on a course that showed its teeth again throughout the week. On Sunday, however, it gave a slight reprieve: more than ten players managed to finish under par in the final round. Even so, the overall balance speaks for itself: only four players finished the tournament under par.
Coughlin left no doubt. She started the day with a birdie at the 1st to open a gap and extended the margin against a Korda who made key mistakes, such as a bogey at the 6th or a three-putt at the 13th. Not even two bogeys by the leader in the middle stretch threatened her victory. With the tournament already under control, she finished with a birdie at the 18th to close with 72 strokes and a total of -7, a fine score on an extremely tough layout.
The win has special significance for Coughlin. It is her first triumph on US soil, comes after a blank 2025 and confirms her ability to win on stages more akin to majors. In addition, she becomes one of the few players in the recent history of the LPGA to reach three or more titles after turning 30. A demonstration that female golfers are taking longer to lose their competitive hunger.
Behind her, Korda keeps piling up good results… without closing the deal. After winning on her season debut, she has now recorded three consecutive runner-up finishes, always in prime positions, always close… but without crossing the line first. A trend that is starting to weigh on Sundays.
Shadow Creek once again took centre stage. Demanding from tee to green, it punished any mistake and forced the players to survive rather than attack. Only Coughlin, Korda, Maguire and Japanese Miyu Yamashita managed to finish under par for the week.
From a Spanish perspective, a good showing from Carlota Ciganda, who finished top 10 (T9, +2) after a performance that clearly improved as the week went on, progressively adapting to the course’s toughness. It is her first top 10 of the year on the LPGA Tour and comes after missing two cuts in a row. A great response.
Further back, Julia López and Carla Tejedo completed their participation in the tournament, unable to get close to the leading positions in an especially demanding week. Final rounds of 75 and 74 strokes, respectively.
A week of survival at Shadow Creek… and another week in which Korda falls short at the last hurdle, while Coughlin signs a resounding victory.
