Nelly Korda is back in familiar territory as she launches her 2025 LPGA campaign with a strong push at the JM Eagle LA Championship. After a 5-under 67 on Saturday, Korda is just six strokes back of the leaders heading into Sunday’s final round.
Akie Iwai and Ingrid Lindblad are tied for the lead with Lauren Coughlin, the 2024 champion who had a runner-up finish at the T-Mobile Match Play presented by MGM Rewards and is still eyeing another top finish this season.
Korda, the 2025 Rolex Player of the Year, has made a habit of coming from behind. At The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, she went on a back-nine surge with five birdies to take the title. She also mounted a late charge at the FIR HILLS SERI PAK Championship earlier this spring to grab the win.
Saturday was another exciting chapter in her season. Korda, currently No. 1 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, started with birdie-bogey-birdie-bogey—an up-and-down beginning that mirrored her slow start to the year, but she soon found her rhythm.
She pulled within one stroke of the lead at one point, making four birdies over six holes and stringing together three in a row on 10, 11, and 12. A bogey on 13 slowed her momentum, but she bounced back with a birdie on 15 and an eagle on the par-5 16th after hitting her second shot just nine feet from the cup.
“I hit a really good drive and only needed a 9-iron,” Korda said. “It was about 98% power, and I went for an aggressive shot. When I’m playing my best, I like to play bold.”
A three-putt bogey on the 18th hole capped her round, but Korda remains in the hunt on a Sunday at El Caballero Country Club, well within striking distance.
“My day was kind of up and down,” she said. “I just tried to move up the leaderboard. I want to stay steady and give myself the best chance for the final day.”
Now chasing the leaders, Korda is relying on her calm mindset and belief in her game. “This is what I love about golf,” she said. “You never know what can happen. You just keep grinding.”
Her stats show promise—while she’s only hit 62% of fairways this week, she leads the tour in strokes gained off the tee in 2025. She’s also hitting 87% of greens in regulation, well above her season average.
“I’ll try to tighten up some loose ends,” she said. “It’s tricky off the tee with all the bunkers, but once I’m in the right spot, I feel confident.”
When asked about the pressure of expectations, Korda responded: “Every year is a new year. You just keep working and improving. I’m never going to complain finishing second, but of course, I want to win.”
With a strong showing this week, Korda is looking to build momentum and kick off 2025 in winning fashion. Her team has also adjusted her schedule—she’s opted out of three upcoming tournaments to focus on essential tournaments, manage a seven-week pause, and maintain her health through more selective participation.
“Continuous improvement is the goal,” she said. “One shot at a time, one round at a time. Just stay patient and play smart.”
As Sunday approaches, all eyes will be on Korda’s late charge—and whether she can make another comeback and capture her first title of the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Nelly Korda in a relationship?
Yes, Nelly Korda has been in a relationship with Andreas Athanasiou, a professional hockey player. He has played in the NHL for teams such as the Los Angeles Kings and Detroit Red Wings. While the couple tends to keep their relationship relatively private, they have been seen together at events and occasionally share glimpses of their time together on social media.
2. What kind of surgery did Nelly Korda have?
In March 2022, Nelly Korda revealed that she had a blood clot in her arm, which required medical attention and led her to take a break from professional golf. While she didn’t disclose every medical detail, it was later confirmed that she underwent surgery related to the blood clot in her subclavian vein. This condition is known as axillary-subclavian vein thrombosis, which can affect athletes due to repetitive arm movements.
3. What does Nelly Korda do for a living?
Nelly Korda is a professional golfer, currently competing on the LPGA Tour (Ladies Professional Golf Association). She has been one of the top-ranked players in the world and has won multiple tournaments, including major championships. In addition to her athletic career, she earns money through endorsements and sponsorships with major brands such as Nike, Rolex, and TaylorMade.
4. How much does Nelly Korda make a year?
Nelly Korda’s income varies from year to year based on her tournament winnings and endorsement deals. On average:
- From golf winnings, she earns between $2 to $4 million annually.
- Through sponsorships and endorsements, she likely makes an additional $5 to $10 million per year, depending on campaigns and contracts.
Altogether, Nelly Korda’s annual earnings can be estimated at $7 to $14 million in recent years, especially after becoming a top player and Olympic gold medalist.
5. Why is Nelly Korda’s swing so good?
Nelly Korda’s golf swing is often praised for being one of the most technically sound and aesthetically pleasing swings on the LPGA Tour. Some key reasons:
- Natural rhythm and tempo: Her swing is smooth and repeatable, helping with consistency.
- Excellent mechanics: She has a textbook takeaway, strong posture, and efficient hip rotation.
- Athleticism and balance: Standing nearly 6 feet tall, her frame allows her to generate power without overexerting.
- Mental focus and training: She trains with top coaches and maintains a high level of mental toughness, which enhances her performance under pressure.
Her swing is often studied by coaches and admired by fans because it combines grace with power and precision.
6. What ethnicity is Nelly Korda? Nelly Korda is of Czech descent. Her parents, Petr Korda and Regina Rajchrtová, are both former professional tennis players from the Czech Republic. Though Nelly was born in Bradenton, Florida, USA, she proudly embraces her Czech heritage and has dual influences from American and Czech cultures.
