Nelly Korda is the new face of American women golf, and this timing could not have been more perfect. No. 1 in the world.
She was tied for first tee at Atlanta Athletic Cub in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. With a chance at winning her first major, Jessica, her older sister, had just completed the front nine. Jessica made a detour to get to No. 10.
The two sisters were separated for about five years. They shared a hug.
After Nelly, 22 years old, won by three shots on the 18th fairway, the next embrace was even more special. It took 4 1/2 hours for Nelly to win the victory. This made her the first American woman in seven years to be ranked at the top of the world women’s rankings.
Nelly stated, “She has a heart full of gold.” She is the most selfless person I know. She is five years older than me, so she taught me the LPGA and the ropes for professional golf. It’s a rare opportunity that many people get.
The DNA of a family is competitive.
Their father is Petr Korda (Czech-born), the 1992 Australian Open champion and who reached No. 2. in the world for men’s tennis. Sebastian, a 20-year old child, reached the fourth round at the French Open last season before being defeated by Rafael Nadal. He is now No. He is now No. 50 in the men’s tennis rankings, and he will be playing Wimbledon this week.
The LPGA was the better choice for them.
Jessica, who was 17 years old, finished second at Q-school. She won her first LPGA Tour event at Royal Melbourne 18 years later. She also played in the Solheim Cup two year later. 8. This year, she won the season opener for her sixth career title. Her little sister followed suit.
Nelly didn’t have much evidence that this stretch was imminent, especially after the USGA placed the sisters together at Olympic Club for U.S Women’s Open. She missed the cut.
Nelly returned home to Florida with her father to spend a week in “boot camp”, which was actually a chance for her to reset.
She shot 62 in the Meijer LPGA Classic to win by four shots. Then she took that momentum to Atlanta Athletic Club, where she won her second consecutive victory. This gave her six LPGA Tour titles just like her big sister.
Korda shot 63 in round two to tie the Women’s PGA Record and match the lowest score for a major at Atlanta’s club, which had previously hosted a U.S. Open and U.S Women’s Open as well as three PGA Championships. She was unstoppable, no matter how hard Lizette Salas tried.
They are about 5’11” tall and have a graceful and athletic swing. Nelly had a huge advantage on the Highlands course. She could reach all par 5s in just two, while Salas couldn’t. Salas hit hybrids to the green, while Korda hit short irons.
There was more to her game. Korda played 49 holes in a row without making a bogey. This streak ended when Korda, who had a five shot lead with four holes left, hit into the water on the Par-3 15th. It was a hole that caused her fits throughout the week.
It really did not affect the score.
Their father was already in England, but Nelly made time to video-call him and had a message for her. “You’re welcome for boot camp,” Nelly replied with a smile.
There is no sibling rivalry. Only support.
In three weeks, they will be teammates at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational in Michigan. This is a team event. The younger sister called it “Team Jelly”.
They will also be teammates in Tokyo. Jessica was the No. 4 spot for the American team at No. 13 in the world. Most likely, they will be team-mates in September in Ohio to compete in the Solheim Cup.
Nelly, on her own, will be viewed as the American flag holder on the LPGA Tour as both a major champion as well as No. 1. in the world.
She is the youngest American woman to win a major since Lexi Thompson, 19 years old, won Mission Hills, California in 2014. Thompson lost the lead by five shots on the last day of the U.S. Open, but that is still the major she won.
Jin Young Ko had been the No. 1 player for 100 weeks. Korda has replaced him. For the 100 last weeks, Korda was No. Since the last American at No. 1, these are the top women’s players in golf. Stacy Lewis, a South Korean-born player in women’s golf, was 29 years old.
Korda is a shot by shot thinker. She’s boring, but she’s effective. She sets goals and stays in the moment. While her victory was still fresh, she wasn’t ready to start thinking about what she wanted to do next. She is currently a major champion and No. She is currently the No. 1 player in the world.
She smiled and said, “That has a beautiful ring to it. Not going to lie.”