Nelly Korda’s record-breaking 2024 season started in dramatic style at the LPGA’s Drive On Championship in Florida.
Bradenton Country Club, in Korda’s hometown, was the venue for her first win of the season. The victory in Florida would prove a catalyst for one of the greatest stretches of golf seen on the LPGA Tour.
Korda would go on to win seven times, shoot in the 60s in 63.2% of her rounds and earn over $14m in prize money.
The 26-year-old’s first LPGA triumph was far from straightforward, however. Korda let a four-shot lead slip and picked up three shots in the last two holes to tie leader Lydia Ko.
Korda then beat the New Zealander in a two-hole playoff to seal her ninth LPGA Tour victory and first in two years.
Nelly Korda makes Lydia Ko claim after dramatic 2024 win
What’s more, Korda’s victory also prolonged Ko entering the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame. However, world number one insists that their relationship is still good.
Before this week’s Founders Cup, Korda was asked, “Do you guys ever joke about it or talk about it?”
“I feel better now. No, we didn’t. I did send her a message after the playoff, though. You know, we’ve been friends for a really long time. We’ve played in so many groups together throughout our careers on tour,” Korda replied.
“She’s always someone that I really enjoy talking to and playing with. There is no bad blood, I hope. On my side, there is not, but I don’t know about hers.”
Ko was inducted into the Hall of Fame after winning the Olympic gold medal at Le Golf National in Paris. The 27-year-old also won her third major championship at the AIG Women’s Open in St Andrews.
Nelly Korda starts 2025 in impressive form
Korda displayed no signs of rust during the LPGA’s season-opening Tournament of Champions in Florida.
Korda finished at 18 under at Lake Buena Vista in Orlando after mounting a stunning final-round charge. The world number one was two shots back of South Korean Kim A-lim.
Seven final-round birdies from Korda gave Kim something to think about as she closed out the tournament. Korda’s birdie on 18 piled the pressure onto the 29-year-old. However, she held her nerve to make a birdie of her own on the 72nd hole.
“Today, it was not my focus. I don’t care,” Kim said when asked about the world number one. It’s a good start, but that’s all. I’m going to focus on the next tournament and then focus again on my game.”
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