Orlando / Palm Beach Gardens, February 7, 2026 – What began as a heated war of words over a weather-shortened tournament has exploded into one of the most explosive legal and investigative crises in LPGA history.

In a stunning escalation, Nelly Korda has filed a federal lawsuit in Florida against Lydia Ko, alleging defamation, tortious interference with business relations, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The core accusation: Ko falsely claimed — in multiple interviews and social media posts — that Ko and other unnamed players “bribed or unduly influenced LPGA officials” to cancel Sunday’s final round at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, thereby “handing” Korda the title after 54 holes.

The lawsuit, filed late Thursday and made public Friday morning, seeks $15 million in damages and demands a full public retraction and apology from Ko. Korda’s legal team asserts that Ko’s statements were not protected opinion but “verifiably false assertions of criminal conduct” that have caused “severe reputational harm, lost endorsement opportunities, and profound emotional distress.”

According to court documents, Ko’s most damaging remarks included:

“It feels like some people get special treatment” (post-tournament interview). “This is a disgrace to the fairness of the LPGA” (Instagram post). “We all know why that round was canceled” (off-camera comment to reporters, later quoted in Golfweek).

Korda’s filing argues these statements implied bribery, collusion, and corruption — serious criminal accusations without evidence — and were made with “actual malice.”

Less than 24 hours after the suit was filed, the LPGA Tour announced it had launched a formal internal investigation into the weather-related cancellation decision. Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan released a brief statement:

“The LPGA takes any allegation of misconduct extremely seriously. We have initiated a comprehensive review of all decisions surrounding the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, including consultation with independent meteorologists, course officials, and legal counsel. A full report will be released upon completion.”

Late Friday evening — in what many are calling a bombshell — the LPGA released preliminary findings from the investigation. The 12-page interim report, distributed to media and posted on the tour’s website, concluded:

The cancellation was based solely on safety concerns: overnight temperatures dropped to 28°F (-2°C), greens froze, and sustained winds exceeded 25 mph with gusts over 35 mph. No evidence of bribery, collusion, or undue influence was found. The celebrity exhibition proceeded under modified, non-competitive rules with enhanced safety measures (heated tents, limited play, no scoring). Meteorological data and timestamps confirm the decision was made at 6:45 a.m. Sunday, before sunrise, and was unanimous among tour officials, superintendents, and safety consultants.

The report included time-stamped emails, weather logs, and sworn affidavits — all showing no communication between Korda’s camp and tournament decision-makers.

The findings left Nelly Korda speechless — at least publicly. Sources close to her say she was “devastated but relieved” by the report, as it appeared to dismantle the core of Ko’s accusations. Korda has not commented since the filing, but her team released a single sentence:

“We appreciate the LPGA’s swift and transparent review. We trust the process will continue to clear the air.”

Lydia Ko, through her representatives, responded Saturday morning:

“I never accused anyone of bribery in a literal sense — my words were about perceived unfairness. I respect the investigation and will cooperate fully. My intent has always been to protect the integrity of competition for all players.”

The golf world is in turmoil. Social media is flooded with #KordaLawsuit, #LydiaKoInvestigation, and #LPGAGate. Players are divided:

Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang have quietly supported Korda, resharing the LPGA report. Several international players have backed Ko, arguing the lawsuit is an attempt to silence legitimate criticism. PGA Tour stars like Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas have called for calm: “Let the investigation finish before we judge.”

Legal experts are split on the case’s prospects. Defamation suits by public figures are hard to win — Korda must prove actual malice — but the inclusion of “bribery” language gives her a stronger path than mere opinion. If discovery proceeds, depositions could force LPGA executives, meteorologists, and even celebrity participants to testify — potentially exposing more internal decision-making flaws.

The timing could not be worse for the LPGA. With the season barely underway and the first major (Chevron Championship) looming in April, the tour faces its most serious credibility crisis in years. Sponsors are reportedly monitoring developments closely; any prolonged scandal could impact television rights and international growth.

For Nelly Korda — Olympic gold medalist, multiple major winner, former World No. 1 — the lawsuit is a high-risk defense of her legacy. A victory would silence critics; a loss could portray her as vindictive.

For Lydia Ko — one of the most respected players in history — the suit threatens to stain a career defined by grace and consistency.

As the LPGA investigation continues and the lawsuit moves forward, one thing is clear: the biggest scandal in modern women’s golf is no longer about frozen greens — it’s about frozen relationships, shattered trust, and a sport struggling to balance transparency, fairness, and the protection of its stars.

The golf world watches, waits, and wonders: will this end in apology, settlement, or courtroom fireworks?