What a great early birthday present for Jessica Korda - her first LPGA Tour victory at the 2012 Women's Australian Open. Korda is 18 today, turning 19 only 15 days after this victory. That makes her one of the youngest winners ever on the LPGA Tour.
Korda had a stellar amateur career, including multiple early showings at the U.S. Women's Open (at age 15, she tied for 19th). She was a member of the 2010 USA Curtis Cup team, a winner of "the Sally," one of the biggest amateur tournaments, and generally turned a lot of heads. That she is going to be successful as a pro always seemed assured; now, Korda has affirmed all those early reviews.
The 5-foot-11 Korda finished 92nd on the LPGA money list in 2011, which was her rookie season. For winning the Women's Australian Open, Korda got three times that much.