Nelly Korda

Nelly Korda in 2026

Nelly Korda Introduction

Nelly Korda has emerged as one of the most dominant and celebrated figures in women's golf, currently holding the number one spot in the Women's World Golf Rankings as of 2026. Born on July 28, 1998, in Bradenton, Florida, the Olympic gold medalist and three-time major champion has rewritten the record books with her exceptional skill, consistency, and mental toughness. Her 2026 season has been nothing short of spectacular, featuring victories at the Tournament of Champions and her third major title at the Chevron Championship, followed immediately by a win at the Riviera Maya Open. Korda's rise to golfing greatness comes from a remarkable athletic family, and she has quickly become one of the highest-paid female athletes in the world through prize money and endorsements.

Nelly Korda Early Life

Nelly Korda was born into a sports dynasty in Florida, where both her parents were professional tennis players for Czech Republic. Her father Petr Korda won the 1998 Australian Open and reached world number two in tennis, while her mother Regina Rajchrtova peaked at world number 26 and reached the fourth round of the U.S. Open twice. Golf became Nelly's passion at just six years old, when she began practicing three to four times weekly. She trained at the prestigious IMG Academy in Bradenton, where she developed into the world's top-ranked junior golfer by 2016. At age 14, she made history by becoming the youngest player to make the cut at the U.S. Women's Open in 2013. She also won notable amateur events including the Harder Hall Invitational and PING Invitational, and helped Team USA win the Junior Solheim Cup in Germany in 2015.

Career and Professional Achievements

Korda turned professional in 2016 at age 18, skipping college to join the Symetra Tour where she won the Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge before earning her LPGA Tour card. Her first LPGA victory came in 2018 at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship, making her and sister Jessica one of the few sister pairs to both win LPGA titles. Her career breakthrough arrived in 2021 when she won the Women's PGA Championship for her first major and captured Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games, becoming the first American woman to win Olympic golf gold since 1900. The 2024 season marked her greatest year, with seven LPGA victories including a historic five consecutive wins that tied legends Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam. She was named LPGA Tour Player of the Year and helped Team USA win the 2024 Solheim Cup. As of 2026, she has 18 LPGA Tour wins and three major championships.

Personal Life and Partners

Nelly Korda comes from a family of professional athletes. Her older sister Jessica Korda also plays on the LPGA Tour with nine top-10 major finishes, while her younger brother Sebastian Korda is a professional tennis player on the ATP tour. Korda was previously in a relationship with NHL player Andreas Athanasiou. In November 2025, she announced her engagement to businessman Casey Gunderson, whom she knew from high school at IMG Academy. They reconnected about a year before getting engaged and plan to marry in 2027. Korda does not attend college and has focused entirely on her professional golf career since turning 18.

Awards and Recognition

Korda's achievements extend beyond tournament victories. She won Olympic gold in Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021) and earned silver medals at the World Championships in 2018 and 2023. Sportico named her one of the world's highest-paid female athletes due to her substantial prize money and lucrative endorsement deals. Her five consecutive wins in 2024 made her only the third player in LPGA history to achieve this feat after Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam. In 2026, her dominant Chevron Championship victory earned her $1.35 million and propelled her back to world number one.

Legacy and Impact

Nelly Korda is already building a legacy as one of women's golf all-time greats. At just 27 years old, she has spent more than 100 weeks as world number one and continues to dominate the sport. Her combination of power, precision, and mental fortitude has revolutionized modern women's golf. She is the youngest American to achieve 18 LPGA victories since Nancy Lopez at age 23 in 1980. Korda's success has inspired a new generation of young golfers, particularly young women, and she represents the United States with distinction in international competitions including the Solheim Cup and Olympics.

Nelly Korda Summary

Nelly Korda stands as the premier player in women's golf entering the latter half of 2026, combining Olympic gold, three major championships, and 18 LPGA Tour victories. Born into a tennis dynasty in Florida, she chose golf at age six and never looked back, turning professional at 18 and quickly ascending to world number one. Her historic five consecutive wins in 2024 tied LPGA legends, while her 2026 Chevron Championship victory reclaimed her top ranking. With an engaged personal life, a supportive athletic family, and massive commercial success, Korda represents the complete package of modern professional golf. Her continued dominance, youth, and untapped potential suggest she will add many more championships to her growing legacy as one of the greatest female golfers in history.