LPGA CHAOS Erupts!🔴 LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler has finally spoken out, standing by Nelly Korda amid the furor at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions 2026. In a stunning decision, Kessler stressed that “insults and abusive behavior have no place in elite golf,” and fined Lydia Ko a hefty sum for publicly humiliating Korda — sending shockwaves through the global golfing world.

Orlando / Palm Beach Gardens, February 5, 2026 – The LPGA Tour has drawn a hard line in the sand.

In an extraordinary and unprecedented move, Commissioner Craig Kessler issued a strongly worded official statement late Wednesday, publicly backing Nelly Korda and imposing a substantial fine on Lydia Ko for what the tour described as “repeated, unprofessional, and damaging public comments” following the controversial conclusion of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.

The commissioner’s declaration, released on all LPGA channels and read aloud during a brief press availability, left no room for ambiguity:

“The LPGA is built on respect, integrity, and fair competition. Insults, personal attacks, and abusive behavior have no place in elite golf — on or off the course. Lydia Ko’s public statements after the Tournament of Champions — which implied unethical conduct, favoritism, and improper influence over tournament decisions — crossed that line. After a full internal review, we have issued Ms. Ko a significant financial penalty and a formal warning. We stand unequivocally with Nelly Korda, whose victory was earned under the exact same rules and conditions applied to every competitor.

The LPGA will protect its players from unwarranted attacks that undermine their achievements and the credibility of our tour.”

While the exact amount of the fine was not disclosed publicly, sources familiar with the decision confirm it is one of the largest conduct-related penalties ever levied against an LPGA player. Ko has also been required to submit a written apology to Korda, to the tournament officials involved in the weather cancellation decision, and to the broader LPGA membership.

The swift and decisive action comes after weeks of escalating tension that began when the final round of the season-opening event at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club was canceled due to extreme cold, frost-covered greens, and high winds. Nelly Korda, who had posted a brilliant 8-under 64 in the third round to take a three-shot lead, was awarded the title after 54 holes. The decision sparked immediate backlash, most notably from Lydia Ko, who finished T4 and was among the most vocal critics.

Ko repeatedly described the cancellation as “a disgrace to fairness” and suggested Korda benefited from “special treatment,” pointing out that a celebrity exhibition was allowed to proceed under the same conditions. Those remarks — made in interviews, social media posts, and off-camera comments to reporters — were interpreted by many as direct accusations of impropriety, favoritism, and even collusion between Korda’s camp and LPGA officials.

Korda responded by filing a defamation lawsuit against Ko earlier this week, alleging the statements were false, malicious, and caused measurable harm to her reputation, endorsement relationships, and emotional well-being. The commissioner’s intervention appears to be a direct response to that escalating legal and public relations crisis.

The LPGA’s statement also included a broader reaffirmation of its weather policy:

“The cancellation was based solely on player safety and course playability. Meteorological data, course superintendent reports, and safety protocols all confirmed the conditions were unsafe for professional competition. The celebrity exhibition operated under separate, non-competitive guidelines with enhanced safety measures. No player or external party influenced this decision.”

The golf world reacted with a mixture of shock, support, and concern:

**Players aligned with Korda** quietly welcomed the commissioner’s stand. Lexi Thompson reshared the statement with a single fist emoji. Rose Zhang liked multiple posts defending Korda’s right to compete without constant public attacks.- **Players and fans sympathetic to Ko** viewed the fine as overreach, arguing that criticism of tournament decisions — even sharp criticism — should be protected speech. Several international players expressed private frustration that the LPGA appeared to be “silencing dissent.”- **Neutral observers and analysts** noted the unprecedented nature of a commissioner publicly fining and reprimanding a player for post-event comments.

Many called for clearer guidelines on acceptable criticism versus personal attacks.

The timing could not be more sensitive. The LPGA is in the midst of aggressive global expansion — new tournaments in Asia, increased broadcast deals, and efforts to attract younger demographics. A prolonged public feud between two of its biggest stars, combined with a defamation lawsuit and now an official sanction, risks undermining those initiatives and alienating sponsors who value a positive, unified image.

For Nelly Korda, the commissioner’s unequivocal support is a major victory. At 27, she remains one of the most marketable and accomplished players on tour — Olympic gold medalist, multiple major champion, former World No. 1. The public defense from the highest level may help quiet some of the persistent online criticism she has faced over pace of play, reserved demeanor, and perceived entitlement following her winless 2025 season.

For Lydia Ko, the fine and formal warning represent a rare and serious mark on an otherwise impeccable reputation. At 28, Ko has long been celebrated for her grace, consistency, and sportsmanship. Being publicly fined and reprimanded by the commissioner — in addition to facing a defamation lawsuit — threatens to shift public perception, especially if the legal battle proceeds to depositions or trial.

The LPGA now faces a delicate balancing act: protecting its players from unfair personal attacks while preserving space for honest discussion about tournament decisions, player treatment, and tour governance. Commissioner Samaan’s intervention has drawn a clear line — but whether it calms the storm or fuels it remains to be seen.

As the tour heads into its Asian swing and prepares for the first major of the year (the Chevron Championship in April), the fallout from this week could linger for months. The biggest scandal in modern women’s golf is no longer just about frozen greens or a canceled round — it’s about how the sport handles criticism, accountability, and the protection of its stars in an era of instant outrage.

Respect, it seems, is no longer optional.

It is now enforced.

And in 2026, the LPGA has made it clear: cross that line at your peril.