Nelly Korda hoping patience pays off in quest to recapture the magic

Telegraph

6 days ago

Nelly Korda is preaching patience, but acknowledges that might be difficult for those admirers of the 'best swing in golf' who recall the American knocking off consecutive titles last year at record-breaking pace.
Of course, it was unfeasible for Korda to maintain a run that brought her five successive tournament wins – including a major – and then proceed to make it six trophies from seven.
Yet when Korda triumphed at the Mizuho Americas Open last May – the female game's superstar adding to her iconic image by raising her arms aloft with the New York City skyline and Statue of Liberty in the background – few would have predicted that there would only be one more success in the 12 months and 19 starts that followed.
Going into this week's US Women's Open, the 26-year-old remains the world No 1, but it perhaps says plenty about the injection of realism into her story that Korda's status is under threat from Jeeno Thitikul.
With two victories already this season, and three in her last nine appearances, the 22-year-old Thai has actually usurped Korda as the betting favourite for the major at Erin Hills – an achievement in itself. But Korda insists she remains unfazed.
'I can understand what people say, but this is just the game of golf and it's life and it's up and down,' Korda said at the Wisconsin course. 'Look, it's never going to be easy, and when you think you kind of have it figured out, it's just going to humble you really quickly.
'The thing is just always stay patient, keep doing what you're doing. What I've learnt is that I'm going to control what I can control. And what I can't? Well, I'm kind of going to let go of that and not stress about it and just go about my business.
'Look, last year was last year. What I achieved in 2024, no one can take that from me. That's always going to be such a great memory. But it's been a campaign and a fresh mindset.
'It's been a very interesting year for me. I definitely have had a bit of good and a bit of bad. I've kind of been in the mix in every event that I've played in.'
Korda is wise not to panic, as she has the lowest scoring average on tour so far in 2025 and her form has hardly gone through the clubhouse floorboards. And even her dream season was not without its setbacks.
After a two-month absence with neck issues that led to debilitating migraines, Korda returned in November and won in Florida. Since then she has racked up four top-seven placings in her most recent eight competitions, including a fifth behind Thitikul three weeks ago.
Yet, despite finishing 14th in her defence at the Chevron Championship, the season's first major, last month, she was never in serious contention and her record at the US Women's Open certainly does not inspire great hope.
Korda has played in her national championship on 10 occasions and only recorded two top-10s, with a best performance of eighth. She was seemingly at the peak of her powers last year, but shockingly shot a first-round 80 at Lancaster Country Club and comfortably missed the cut. It was the third time she had failed to qualify for the weekend in the last five editions of the US Women's Open.
Considering the piles of garlands she has collected from other events, she would be forgiven for a feeling of indifference, but Korda was putting on a courageous and positive front as she prepared for a marquee first-round threeball on Thursday, also featuring countrywoman Lexi Thompson and England's Charley Hull.
'Yeah, it's tested me a lot over the years – but, I mean, it's the biggest test in the game and I love it,' she said. 'At the end of the day, this is why we do what we do, is to play these golf courses in these conditions, to test our games in every aspect. Not even just our games, but the mental side, as well. I enjoy it and I'm excited to see what this week is going to bring.'
And Korda claims the expectations will not be a problem. 'Every year something has challenged me, and every year I learn a little bit more about myself and how to handle myself in certain situations,' she said. 'It's all about putting yourself into that position and being grateful for being in that spot. And relish it all. Even the pressure.'