Nelly Korda etched her name into LPGA history Sunday in Texas. It’s a new remarkable chapter for the 25-year-old, who suffered a blood clot that required surgery just two years ago.
The Florida native shot 3-under in the final round of the Chevron Championship, earning her fifth consecutive LPGA Tour victory (tying a record) and her second major victory.
Sunday’s moment was certainly not lost on Korda, even after everything she had been through.
“Because obviously at that time I was more scared about my health,” Korda said. According to ESPN. “Competing kind of took a backseat. I never thought about competing. But I think all the sad times and health scares I went through made me who I am today. .”
To celebrate, Korda jumped into a pond on the course at The Club at Carleton Woods in Woodland, Texas.
Korda ran down a short dock and into the brownish water as spectators cheered behind him.
Korda’s parents, former Australian Open tennis champions Petr Korda and Regina Radichultova, could not be happier to see their daughter reach such heights this year.
“She had a tough year in some ways, ’22 and ’23,” Petr said. “She wasn’t able to win a tournament in 2016, but maybe some things humbled her and [she] Put a lot of effort into where she is now. Without her work and dedication, she wouldn’t be here. So I’m very happy to see that. ”
Nellie, whose sister Jessica is also an LPGA pro, confirmed she will compete in the JM Eagle LA Championship, which opens Thursday, in hopes of making a historic sixth consecutive tour win.
“It’s been a great feeling over the last few weeks knowing that I can continue down this path. If I stay in my bubble and keep my golf simple in a way and just go with the flow, I think we can have some very, very fun things here.” ‘,’ she said.
Korda won $2.4 million in five tournaments, about $300,000 each for wins in the first four tournaments, and $1.2 million later with Chevron.
Korda started Sunday with a one-shot lead, but last night’s leader, Helan Ryu, shot a final round 74.
After starting with a 68, Korda birdied four of his first 10 holes en route to a three-straight 69.
Only two players, Nancy Lopez (1978) and Annika Sorenstam (2004-2005), have won five consecutive LPGA Tour events, but Korda was not on her way to winning six consecutive LPGA Tour events.
“I’m going to enjoy it now and then think about it,” she said. “But, yeah, it was a great time. I hope we keep this winning streak going. But I’m so grateful to have been able to come out week in and week out and place five times in a row.”
