One evening in December, golf greats gathered for a photo at the PNC Championship in Orlando. Among them was Tiger Woods, who surprised Nelly Korda by greeting her with excitement. For the then–world No. 1, hearing Tiger call her name was surreal.
Korda’s rise to fame accelerated in 2021 when she captured five titles, including her first major, won Olympic gold, and climbed to the top of the rankings. At just 23, she had firmly established herself as the new face of women’s golf in America.
Despite her success, Korda stays humble about her fame. She avoids the spotlight when traveling but admits it’s rewarding when young fans recognize her. Much of her drive comes from her athletic family—her parents were tennis pros, her sister Jessica is an LPGA veteran, and her brother Sebastian is a rising tennis star.
The Korda sisters share a unique bond on and off the course. They practice together, play in Solheim Cups, and support one another through setbacks, including Nelly’s recent health scare and Jessica’s injury. Their coach, Jamie Mulligan, says their friendship strengthens their game.
Nelly’s journey wasn’t rushed. She turned professional in 2016 with little fanfare, wearing her sister’s hand-me-downs, but quickly made her mark with a win in her first Symetra Tour event. Since then, she has grown into one of the LPGA’s most dominant players, admired for her calm demeanor and fierce competitive edge.
Rivals describe her as approachable yet intimidating—able to stay focused under pressure and strike shots with surgical precision. That mental toughness, combined with her talent, sets her apart. As Nelly puts it, she thrives on the adrenaline of competition, even embracing the tough weeks as part of the grind.
While she avoids revealing specific goals, Korda makes her ambitions clear. She wants more than trophies—she wants greatness. Her sights are set on becoming the best in the world, winning a Grand Slam, and achieving what no one has done before.
For Korda, the journey is about more than victories. It’s about embracing the highs and lows, enjoying the challenge, and chasing history. Because in her words, greatness takes time—and time never waits.
