Jessica Korda on Being World No. 1: “It Doesn’t Give You Any Advantages”
Jessica Korda, the elder sister of LPGA star Nelly Korda, recently shared her candid thoughts about what it really means to hold the World No. 1 ranking in golf.
In an Instagram reel posted on August 18, Jessica explained that while the ranking carries prestige, it doesn’t provide any real edge once a tournament begins.
“Whether you’re No. 1 or ranked somewhere in the top 20, it doesn’t give you any actual advantages on tour,” she said. “The only minor perk might be slightly better tee times — not too early, not too late. But at the end of the day, everyone starts from scratch each week. That’s the beauty of golf: anyone who tees off has a chance to win.”
Jessica, who turned professional in 2011, has six LPGA titles to her name, including the 2012 Women’s Australian Open, which she won as a teenager. Nelly, who joined the tour in 2017, has already captured two major championships: the 2021 Women’s PGA Championship and the 2024 Chevron Championship.
The Korda sisters come from a family steeped in sports. Their father, Petr Korda, won the 1998 Australian Open in tennis, while their mother, Regina Rajchrtová, was also a professional tennis player for Czechoslovakia.
Nelly Korda Loses No. 1 Spot to Jeeno Thitikul
Meanwhile, Nelly Korda’s run as World No. 1 has come to an end. Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul has reclaimed the top position in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings after finishing tied for 30th at the AIG Women’s British Open, six places ahead of Korda, who tied for 36th.
Korda’s slip came after a tough final round at Royal Porthcawl in Wales, where she carded a three-over 75 — her worst of the tournament. Thitikul’s steady two-over 74 was enough to close the narrow gap of just 0.1861 points and leapfrog her in the standings.
Despite the setback, Korda’s achievements remain remarkable. She has spent a total of 108 weeks at No. 1 since first reaching the top in June 2021, including an impressive 71-week streak. After reclaiming the top spot in March 2024, she went on a historic run, winning five tournaments in a row and seven overall that year. At one point, her lead over rival Lilia Vu stretched to more than 6.8 points.
So far in 2025, Korda hasn’t secured a win but has been consistent, making the cut in all 13 events she’s entered and finishing in the top 10 five times, including all the Majors.
