Nelly Korda – golf’s new superstar

It is said that environment and surroundings are perhaps the most important factor for someone who wants to be good at sports. So what do we have here?

A father who has won the Australian Open in tennis and has been the world number two. A mother who represented Czechoslovakia at the Olympics in 1988 and reached number 26 in the world rankings. A five-years-older sister who has taken six titles on the LPGA tour. A slightly younger brother who has already won his first title on the ATP tour in tennis.

Environment? Environment.
Nelly Korda, aged 23, laughs into the receiver.
“You could say my upbringing was quite sports-orientated”.

Even though five fifths of the Korda family have made big impressions on the world of sports in recent decades, Nelly is already the brightest shining star. She’s won 6 titles on tour, gone unbeaten through her first Solheim Cup and this summer took her first title at a Major when she won the Women’s PGA Championship. Just 23 years old, she’s now ranked number 1 in the world.

Despite this, just a few years ago she was still always introduced as “Jessica Korda’s little sister.”

“When you commit to sports like I have, it’s helpful to grow up in a family where you always have someone to lean on. Even if, so far, there have been more ups than downs for me, a sports career is a bit of a rollercoaster and having someone in the family who’s been up at those heights means of course that you know it’s possible to get there yourself”.

How much does it help to have a big sister who’s also a successful player?

“It’s fantastic, not least because you get to travel together and spend time with someone you like. She really has a heart of gold and it’s been extremely valuable to have her help me adjust to life on tour”.

Your father Petr Korda is well-known by many Swedes because he had a good tennis career during an era in which Swedish tennis was world class. What have you learned from him?

“I’m still learning from him, all the time. He knows how to draw up a good plan, how to look after your body and is making sure we don’t burn ourselves out. He is also good at calming us down.

He was a pretty decent golfer as well before. Can he still play?

“Dad was really good. He got to scratch and then he basically stopped playing. But I play a few rounds with him from time to time and it always ends up pretty even somehow. I don’t know how he does it.

It’s the end of May, the US Women’s Open at the classic Olympic Club in San Francisco is just around the corner and the majority of the world’s best players are getting ready by playing the new matchplay tournament in Las Vegas.

But a well-known name is missing from the list.
Nelly Korda’s.
As part of the preparations for maximising her chance of winning the world’s biggest tournament, she’s decided to opt out of the profitable tour stop to get ready in other ways instead. An unusual choice on the ladies’ tour, where most players tee up at pretty much every competition.

But it also says a lot about Nelly Korda.

Despite her young age, she’s already realised that a golfer’s career is measured by the number of majors won rather than the dollars earned or regular tour titles bagged.

“Since I’m the highest ranked American golfer, of course there will be some added expectations of me going into a US Open, but I’m trying not to think about that too much,” she tells Dormy Magasin.

What makes the US Open so special?

“All majors are special. But the US Open sticks out because it was the first major tournament I played when I was just 14 years old. So it has a special place in my heart”.

However, this year’s tournament at Olympic Club started with an unexpected fiasco.

Korda mis-hit her tee shot, ended up having persistent problems in the heavy rough and her seventh start in the tournament ended after just 36 holes.

But just a few weeks later she got her revenge – and it was sweet.

First she won the Meijer Classic on the LPGA tour and took her fifth victory. The following week she was totally outstanding at the Women’s PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club and took the first major title of her career three shots ahead of countrywoman Lizette Salas who was the only player anywhere close to challenging her.

With this victory she took South Korean Jin Young Ko’s place as number one in the world rankings.

“It feels fantastic to be honest. It hasn’t sunk in yet, but as an athlete you’re always trying to achieve more and set new goals for yourself. But this one I’m going to sit down and enjoy for a while”, she says afterwards.

Sweden’s national team coach Patrik Jonsson is impressed by this display:

“She’s one of a few young superstars who’s going to be part of ushering ladies’ golf into a new era, with power, aggressiveness and a wonderful understanding of the game”. Nelly is exactly what ladies golf needs, a young American global star. She’s won one major now, but there’ll be more.

The scene was tantalising when the starter announced the players’ names at Diamond Resorts’ first hole in January this year. After 13 years’ absence from the LPGA, Annika Sörenstam would appear on the golf course again.

Admittedly just as a celebrity at this tournament and not among the pros (the real competitive comeback would have to wait another month).

Her playing partner?
The 28 years younger Nelly Korda.
And a fleeting youthful dream simultaneously came true.
“That was really cool. I actually remember when she holed out from the fairway for an eagle on the final hole in her last US Open 2008. Annika really is the best of all time in ladies’ golf and I never thought I’d have the chance to play with her”.

But the round is also a demonstration of how time has passed – and an exciting snapshot of how timeless elegance meets powerful and modern swing technique.

In recent years, developments in distance on the ladies tour have started to make real headway and the game could be on the cusp of a similar transformation to the one the men’s game has already undergone. At the time of writing, there are four players past the 280 yard mark on average and we’re seeing many more invest time and energy in hitting it longer. Nelly Korda is one of the players driving this revolution.

“She has a pure technique with the potential to deliver a lot of ball speed. The swing looks natural with very few elements that can go wrong. That’s why we’re seeing her high up on the results list every week”, says Patrik Jonsson.

“The PGA tour has been all about a power game for quite a long time now and the LPGA is moving in that direction, but we’re not there yet. The courses are still set up to be quite short and easy. The exception is the majors, so the players who can hit it longer definitely have the advantage there. As far as I’m concerned I’d be happy to see even longer courses. Just keep going”, says Nelly Korda and laughs.

This is probably an ingredient that has made the ladies tour more popular than ever before. What are some other reasons that ladies’ golf is growing in popularity?

“I think women’s sport is getting more attention generally. And I’d also have to mention our tour manager Mike Whan, who unfortunately is stepping down now, but who has done a fantastic job of raising the profile. He’s had a mantra for us players and that is to ‘make sure that you leave the tour in a better state than when you arrived’. That’s great!”

How does it feel to be in the middle of this change?

“Amazing. Being able to inspire others means so much to me and that’s why I play this game”.

You don’t sound like a 23-year-old when you say that…

“Haha, I know I sound much older sometimes. It feels really strange, but I’ve been forced to mature faster than many others because I’m out here as a role model and someone that others look up to. So I have to make sure I conduct myself well and do the right things”.

You’ve also changed your style on the course this year, since you’ve signed a new apparel contract with the Swedish brand J.Lindeberg. How did that come about?

“Since I grew up in Europe, the company was on my radar earlier and that’s why I jumped on the chance when it came. I think their apparel is sporty but still has style. It’s perfect for me. It’s also comfortable”.

How interested are you in the apparel you wear on the golf course?

“I want warm clothing since I’m always freezing! So it’s probably a good thing they do skiwear as well. I always take some time to choose my outfits and have already heard many people say they think I dress well in JL. I appreciate these compliments”.

The Solheim Cup at Gleneagles in Scotland in 2019 was effectively the final chapter in Norwegian Suzann Pettersen’s long career.

As a tour player.

But above all as the engine of the constantly defeated European team. When she sank the birdie putt on the last hole against Marina Alex it gave an unexpected victory to Europe and in Pettersen’s eyes was also the ultimate way to leave the game – and that putt was probably the last shot she hit in a competitive setting.

The same week another Solheim Cup career took its first steps.

Nelly Korda had a phenomenal debut and went unbeaten throughout her four matches. In the singles she beat Swedish Caroline Hedwall 2/0 and thereby contributed to the USA being so close to victory on away territory.

Revenge will come this autumn.

“It’s going to be such fun. Gleneagles was fantastic and it felt amazing to play together with my sister in the doubles”.

You had a really good debut. What do you remember most about that week?

“We played really well, so it wasn’t a complete disappointment. I think we could leave with our heads held high and despite losing, I enjoyed the experience”.

Of course, USA is always the big favourite but it usually still feels like it’s so close – how does that happen?

“The great atmosphere helps the players and teams lift their game. Match play is completely different, the balance of power evens out and some people rise to the occasion. My sister Jessica is one of them”.

You can expect to see the siblings play together in Ohio – and no doubt as a lead pairing in the future majors as well.

What seems certain is that there’s plenty of scope for some fantastic family battles in the years to come.

For Jessica Korda.
And for “Jessica Korda’s little sister”.

NELLY KORDA FACTS

Age: 23 years.

Lives in: Bradenton, Florida.

Family: Father Petr Korda, mother Regina Rajchrtová, sister Jessica Korda, brother Sebastian Korda.

Track record: Won six titles on the LPGA Tour, three of which were during 2021. One major title, Women’s PGA Championship 2021.

Currently: Newly-crowned number one in the world rankings.