With Nelly Korda yet to secure her first win of the season, there does appear to be a fantastic opportunity for a number of the world’s best players to go on and win the Chevron Championship this week.
Of course, it was always going to be nearly impossible for Nelly Korda to replicate what she had achieved by this point last year. The world number one went on a run of winning six times in her first seven starts, with that fifth victory coming at the Chevron Championship.
Korda has played well so far in 2025. But, like Scottie Scheffler, the 26-year-old is yet to turn that impressive form into wins. So she will be hoping that returning to Texas helps her find that next gear again.
Korda won the first major of the year by two shots last season. Interestingly, there have been six playoffs since 2012, while Inbee Park is the only player to have won by more than three shots in that time. So there is a good chance that the event will go down to the wire – even with the change of venue in 2023.
American backed to beat Nelly Korda and win her first major title at the Chevron Championship
And speaking on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast, Mel Reid admitted that she is not convinced that Korda will retain her title, with her Solheim Cup teammate backed to win instead.
“I don’t think it is Nelly. Do you know who I think you should look out for is Lauren Coughlin. She played great last year, she’s playing unbelievable the last year. She’s very confident, she’s a very steady player. Can’t rule out Jeeno, and then my European pick is obviously my girl [Charley Hull], it would have to be Charley,” she said.
Coughlin has three top 10s on the LPGA Tour this year, including two top threes in her last two starts. Meanwhile, her best ever major finish came at last year’s Chevron as she finished third.
The 32-year-old currently sits eighth in the Race to CME Globe, with Jeeno Thitikul picking up where she left off last year and leading the way.
Charley Hull tipped for first major victory in the near future
And it is little surprise that Reid has backed Charley Hull for potentially a big week. She is one of the most impressive players on tour without a major win, and she just seems to have the fearless mindset needed for the big occasion – few will forget her performance against Korda in the Sunday singles at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club last year.
And Reid suggested that that big victory is just around the corner.
“I think it’s only a matter of time as well before Charley wins a major, I feel it should have already happened. I feel like you can’t have a conversation about a major championship without talking about Charley Hull,” she added.
“She’s a great player, don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who loves golf as much as Charley Hull – will play on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, will get off a flight to Thailand and go and play golf.”
With Korda not quite at top gear right now, there is definitely a good opportunity for someone to grasp this week.
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