Nelly Korda secured victory at the Chevron Championship and celebrated by jumping into a temporary pool positioned beside the 18th green at Memorial Park in Houston. Future winners of the prestigious LPGA major will now have a permanent water hazard to maintain the celebratory tradition.
Course Redesign for a Tradition
Golf course architect Tom Doak returned to the venue to help redesign the 18th hole, incorporating a new pond along the right side of the green. This addition allows tournament champions to uphold a long-standing major tradition that was established during the event’s five decades at Rancho Mirage in California. While the water feature is not Poppie’s Pond, it provides a suitable alternative for the historic winner’s leap.
The updated 18th hole opened to public play over the weekend. Memorial Park also serves as the host venue for the PGA Tour’s Houston Open, which takes place two weeks prior to the Masters.
