A “Not So Cool” Close to the 2026 LPGA Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions
Beverly Wise, Golf the Wise Way
“It wasn’t Cool!… It was darn right COLD!“
Unusual wintry weather was predicted for the final round of the 2026 LPGA – Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club.
Cold weather delayed Saturday’s third round, leaving eight LPGA players unfinished.
Due to the forecasted chill, the number of celebrities competing on Sunday would be reduced to the top 15 players and would only play the back nine to decide the Champion of the Celebrity division.
On Sunday, plans kept changing throughout the morning until the announcement was made based on conversations between the rule’s officials, tournament staff, partners and the grounds team, to reduce the 2026 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions to a 54-hole event.
Mardy Fish, the winner of the celebrity division, commented on the condition of the practice green Sunday morning, commenting, “It felt as though I was walking on concrete.” Despite these circumstances, Fish and the other celebrity participants resumed play as scheduled, with their final rounds adjusted to nine holes. Fish recorded an even-par 36, securing victory by five points. Jack Wagner, a 66-year-old former actor, finished with a score of 34.
Mardy Fish, the winner of the celebrity division, commented on the condition of the practice green Sunday morning, commenting, “It felt as though I was walking on concrete.” Despite these circumstances, Fish and the other celebrity participants resumed play as scheduled, with their final rounds adjusted to nine holes. Fish recorded an even-par 36, securing victory by five points. Jack Wagner, a 66-year-old former actor, finished with a score of 34.
The eight players who had not finished their third round would resume their third round at 2:15 p.m. ET on Sunday so the entire field had 54 holes in. The Tournament would be concluded with the Champion Nelly Korda, not even hitting a shot on Sunday.
After the final round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions was canceled due to extreme cold, Korda’s Moving Day, 8-under 64 on Saturday secured her a three-shot win over Amy Yang with a total of 13 under par—her first LPGA title since November 2024.
Beverly Wise and Greg Wise have been traveling the world, playing and writing about their golf experiences as “Golf the Wise Way,” and submitting to numerous publications.
Greg has played golf for more than 60 years and truly believes that “a picture is worth a thousand words…” so, Beverly and Greg both excel in getting the right photos to enhance their stories.
