Nelly Korda faced a challenging beginning at the Chevron Championship, opening with a disappointing round of 77. At that point, there were concerns that she might not make the cut. However, the two-time major winner rebounded strongly, delivering rounds of 68 and 71 on Friday and Saturday. She also recorded a solid 70 in the final round. Despite her recovery, it wasn’t enough to claim the title, and she ended the tournament tied for 14th place. Afterward, Korda shared some unexpected updates regarding her health.
Following the tournament’s conclusion, Korda spoke at a press conference where she outlined her upcoming schedule. She mentioned that she would be playing the Scottish Open for the first time this year but would not be participating in any tournaments before the Evian Championship or the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational. Reflecting on her calendar, she noted that she doesn’t yet know if she’ll play in any events leading up to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Last year, Korda had skipped the Renaissance Club event to spend time with her family and take a break from competitive golf.
Korda further explained that playing four events in succession is too demanding for her body. Summarizing her physical condition succinctly, she said, “Yeah, so I don’t do four events in a row.” She plans to compete at the ShopRite LPGA Classic but will skip the Meijer LPGA Classic, citing that her body cannot handle consecutive weeks of competition. In 2024, Korda’s schedule has already been selective, as she played only 17 LPGA events and missed several tournaments, including the Honda LPGA Thailand, HSBC Women’s World Championship, and Blue Bay LPGA.
Recognizing the importance of maintaining both her physical and mental well-being, Korda’s approach appears to be a strategy to ensure she can continue to perform at a high level while avoiding burnout. Even though she didn’t win at Carlton Woods in the Woodlands, her commitment to staying healthy and her sportsmanship kept her in high regard among fans.
Despite her rough start, Korda displayed notable grace during the tournament. After a first round where she struggled with six bogeys and dropped to T115 on the leaderboard, she remained composed. Though visibly emotional, she understood there was still a long way to go and chose to focus on the remaining rounds. Demonstrating her characteristic graciousness, she took the time to interact with fans, signing autographs even after her difficult performance.
Golf journalist Beth Ann Nichols noted this gesture on social media, highlighting Korda’s willingness to engage with her supporters even in a tough moment. Fans praised her for her class and resilience, calling her a “class act” and appreciating her dedication to the sport and its community.