Max Homa has shared what he once asked Nelly Korda during a practice round as he admitted to not quite realising how great she was until he got the chance to play with her.
Nelly Korda is on the cusp of history on the LPGA Tour, with the 25-year-old going after her sixth consecutive win this week when she competes in the Cognizant Founders Cup in New Jersey.
Remarkably, Korda did not win a single event on the LPGA Tour during 2023, but she appears to have found another gear in the opening months of this season.
Of course, the highlight for Korda came with her second major championship victory of her career, as she beat Maja Stark by two shots at April’s Chevron Championship.
Max Homa asked Nelly Korda how anyone actually beats her
The men’s game is currently being dominated by Scottie Scheffler, with the 27-year-old winning on four of his last five starts, including The Masters.
With the pair both claiming their second major titles this year in amongst a spell of dominance, there are parallels to be drawn between Scheffler and Korda.
And speaking in his press conference ahead of this week’s Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow, Max Homa explained how impressed he has been by Korda, particularly after getting the chance to tee it up with her.
“I remember when we played with her, I asked her while we were playing how anyone ever beats her. I’ve been fortunate, I’ve gotten to play with a few of the women on the LPGA, Alison Lee, grew up with her, she’s tremendous, Danielle Kang, a number of others and they’re all so good when you watch them practice,” he said.
“I had never really played a full round of golf with any of them, and Nelly’s playing from our tees, and it was tremendous. And I remember her answer was I need to go see Lydia Ko play, and these others, and I realised that I just haven’t got to see it as much, but I’m still fairly curious how she ever does lose, because she didn’t miss a golf shot for seven holes, and made a bunch of putts and chipped it better than everybody in the group, so I guess I’m not surprised.
“But from what she said, it did pique my interest that there’s a wealth of talent out there but getting to play with somebody up close and personal for 18 holes from the same tees, you really get to soak in what they’re so great at, so she’s pretty tremendous.”
American has chance to define this era in women’s game
Like Scheffler on the men’s tour, there is definitely scope for someone like Korda to define this particular era in the women’s game.
There are so many outstanding players right now, but it has been some time since anyone reached five major championships, with Inbee Park the most recent in 2014.
Of course, Korda will not be thinking beyond the next tournament this week, but her form this season shows why she is one of the current superstars across the entire sport.
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