Securing over 100 weeks as the top-ranked golfer in the world, Nelly Korda has redefined competitive standards on the LPGA Tour. The Bradenton native launched her professional career in 2016, rapidly ascending through the ranks to claim four major championships and an individual gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Japan.
Early Development and Amateur Success
Training at the IMG Academy in her hometown of Florida, Korda showcased early promise by qualifying for the 2013 U.S. Women's Open at age 14. Her amateur portfolio includes victories at the Kathy Whitworth Invitational and the Yani Tseng Invitational. In 2015, she competed for the United States at the Junior Solheim Cup in Germany, contributing to the team's historic victory on foreign soil before achieving a top-ten standing in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
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Korda transitioned to the professional circuit in 2016, securing her initial victory at the Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge. Her performance during that season earned her an LPGA Tour card for the following year. Upon her 2017 debut at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic, she finished tied-5th, quickly adapting to the rigors of the professional tour schedule.
Championship Pedigree
The 2021 Women's PGA Championship served as the breakthrough major for Korda, cementing her status at the pinnacle of the sport. She maintained this momentum through 2024, winning the Chevron Championship and her second major title of that year. Her 2024 campaign was particularly notable for five consecutive LPGA tournament wins, a feat rarely documented in professional golf history. Throughout her career, she has accumulated 19 LPGA Tour victories and 24 total professional titles.
Family Context and Solheim Cup
Korda belongs to a family of high-performance athletes, including her father Petr, a former professional tennis player. Her older sister Jessica is also a professional golfer, and the pair became the first sisters to participate as a tandem in a Solheim Cup match during the 2019 tournament at Gleneagles. Beyond her sibling partnership, Nelly Korda has represented the United States across five Solheim Cup appearances, contributing to a team victory in 2024.
Fast facts
- Born: 1998, Bradenton, United States
- Professional debut: 2016
- Major titles: 4
- Olympic gold medal: 2020 Summer Olympics
- Total LPGA Tour wins: 19
- Total professional titles: 24
- Solheim Cup appearances: 5
Questions readers ask
How many majors has Nelly Korda won?
She has won four major championships: the 2021 Women's PGA Championship, the 2024 and 2026 Chevron Championships, and the 2026 U.S. Women's Open.
Did Nelly Korda play in the Olympics?
Yes, she won an individual gold medal at the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics.
