‘Lived 9 Lives’: Afraid of Making Mistakes, Nelly Korda Reveals Difficulties of Surviving the Public ‘Microscope’

Nelly Korda, the LPGA Tour’s Rolex No. 1 player, has experienced a rollercoaster 2024 season. After a stunning start, securing six wins in seven events, including a major triumph at the Chevron Championship, the 26-year-old faced significant setbacks. Consecutive struggles at the U.S.

Women’s Open and the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship were compounded by a neck injury that sidelined her for over two months. In a recent interview at the Pelican Golf Club, Korda reflected on the immense scrutiny that comes with being at the top of her game.

“When you’re ranked high, everything is magnified,” she noted, emphasizing the unique pressures of golf as an individual sport. Battling fear of mistakes under the public microscope, Korda acknowledged that embracing both good and bad days has been key to regaining her composure.

Now back on the course, Korda is determined to reclaim her winning form. Following her break, she opened strong at the Pelican Golf Club, delivering consistent rounds of 66 and positioning herself just two strokes behind the leader, Charley Hull.

Her confidence is growing, bolstered by an improved performance and the absence of pain from her earlier injury. As she aims for a triumphant comeback, Korda remains focused on her ultimate goal: lifting the trophy on Sunday. Whether she can overcome the weight of expectations and return to dominance remains to be seen, but her resilience and fighting spirit are undeniable.