Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Nelly Korda

How Nelly Korda built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Nelly Korda is a highly accomplished American professional golfer on the LPGA Tour. A two-time major champion, she won the 2021 Women's PGA Championship and the 2024 Chevron Championship. Korda boasts 20 professional wins, including 15 on the LPGA Tour, and earned a gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics. She has held the number one position in the Women's World Golf Rankings for over 100 weeks, finishing as year-end number one in both 2021 and 2024. Korda has also represented the United States in four Solheim Cups, including being on the winning team in 2024.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2013: Made the Cut at U.S. Women's Open

At the age of 14, in 2013, Nelly Korda made the cut at the U.S. Women's Open, and eventually finished T64th.

2014: Won Kathy Whitworth Invitational

In 2014, Nelly Korda was triumphant at the Kathy Whitworth Invitational, and she was also given an invitation to compete at the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

January 2015: Won Harder Hall Invitational

In January 2015, Nelly Korda sealed victory at the Harder Hall Invitational, despite being penalized two penalty strokes on the first hole for using a caddie, which was prohibited at the event.

2016: Won Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge

In 2016, Nelly Korda began her professional career on the Symetra Tour, where she won her first professional event at the Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge, finishing three strokes ahead of runner-up Wichanee Meechai.

2016: Turned Professional and Won Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge

In 2016, Nelly Korda turned professional and won her first professional tournament at the Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge.

2017: Began Playing on the LPGA Tour

In 2017, Nelly Korda began playing on the LPGA Tour.

2017: LPGA Tour Debut at Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic

In 2017, Nelly Korda made her LPGA Tour debut at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic, where she finished T5th. She admitted that she had "struggled" with all the traveling during the year.

October 28, 2018: Won Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship

On October 28, 2018, Nelly Korda secured a two-stroke victory at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship in Taoyuan, Taiwan, to seal her maiden LPGA Tour title, making her and her sister Jessica Korda the third pair of sisters to have claimed LPGA Tour titles.

2018: Won Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship

In 2018, Nelly Korda won her first LPGA event at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship.

2018: Maiden LPGA Tour Victory

In 2018, Nelly Korda's maiden LPGA Tour victory meant that she and Jessica became the third pair of sisters to have both claimed victory in LPGA Tour events.

2019: First Sisters to Pair in Solheim Cup

In 2019, Nelly Korda and her sister Jessica became the first sisters to play as a pairing in a Solheim Cup match.

2019: Won Women's Australian Open

In 2019, Nelly Korda triumphed at the Women's Australian Open and entered the top-10 of the world rankings for the first time.

2020: Won Gold at Summer Olympics

At the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics, Nelly Korda became the first American female golfer to win individual gold at an Olympic Games since 1900.

2021: Won Women's PGA Championship and Became World Number One

In 2021, Nelly Korda won her first major at the Women's PGA Championship, which also took her to world number one.

2021: Won Women's PGA Championship

In 2021, Nelly Korda won the Women's PGA Championship, marking her first major win and propelling her to world number one.

2024: Won Chevron Championship and Named LPGA Tour Player of the Year

In 2024, Nelly Korda became the third player to have won five consecutive tournaments on the LPGA Tour. This run culminated with her second major win at the Chevron Championship. In September, she helped the United States to victory at the Solheim Cup, and finished the year with seven individual LPGA titles, before being named LPGA Tour Player of the Year.

2024: Korda's Performance at the Women's British Open, Olympics and Solheim Cup

In 2024, Nelly Korda finished T3rd at the Women's British Open. She also participated in the 2024 Summer Olympics, finishing outside the medal positions. Additionally, in 2024, Korda was part of the United States team that won the Solheim Cup, contributing three wins out of her four matches.

2024: Korda Wins Chevron Championship

In 2024, Nelly Korda won the Chevron Championship with a score of 275 (−13), marking her second major title and fifth consecutive victory. This win positioned her as only the third LPGA player to achieve five consecutive starts, joining Annika Sörenstam and Nancy Lopez.

2025: Korda's Performance and Ranking Change

In 2025, Nelly Korda finished runner-up at the Tournament of Champions and later lost her world number one ranking after holding it for 71 consecutive weeks. She also withdrew from the United States team for the International Crown due to an injury.