Nelly Korda celebrated a significant victory in 2026 that caught the attention of a notable sports figure.
LeBron James, the Lakers star, reached out on Sunday to congratulate Korda after she clinched her first title at the U.S. Women’s Open, marking the fourth major win of her career.
In his message on Instagram, James acknowledged Korda’s impressive finish at Riviera Country Club, where she secured a dramatic one-stroke win over Charlie Hull and Gabby Lopez with her final putt.
This triumph not only granted Korda a remarkable $2.5 million prize but also highlighted what is shaping up to be one of her most successful seasons yet.
Prior to the tournament, James had given Korda custom Nike Victory Pro 4 golf shoes, inspired by his own basketball line. She wore them during the opening round but switched back to her usual shoes after just six holes.
“There was a bit too much space,” Korda remarked later.
That change seemed wise. After an initial score of 73, Korda bounced back with impressive rounds of 67, finishing her final round with a 2-under 69. This included a pivotal birdie on the 17th hole and a crucial par save on the 72nd hole, narrowly avoiding a playoff scenario.
Korda also received encouragement from another sports legend, revealing that Tiger Woods sent her a simple email before her final round: “Let’s end it today.”
And she certainly did.
While James now shifts his focus to golf in the NBA off-season, Korda is becoming a key figure in the sport herself. The 27-year-old golfer has already won both the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open this season.
As Korda stood proudly next to her trophy, she reflected on a dream that began more than a decade ago. “That 14-year-old girl who stood on Sebonac’s practice field in 2013. Her dream just came true,” Korda expressed.
