Nelly Korda Loses World No. 1 Spot After Poor AIG Women's Open Showing

Newsweek

3 days ago

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Nelly Korda is arguably the best player in the world, but she hasn't been showing it as much as she'd like lately, and the world rankings are relentless with results. When the list is updated this Monday, Korda won't be in the top spot for the first time since March 2024.
The two-time major champion entered the AIG Women's Open just 0.19 average points ahead of World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul. The Thai finished the final major of the season two strokes ahead of Korda, taking her into the No. 1 spot for the first time in her career.
This prediction was made by the X Nosferatu account (@VC606), which specializes in covering the various world golf rankings.
Thitikul and Korda finished tied for 30th and 36th, respectively, at Royal Porthcawl. Just as the gap between the two players was narrow there, so too will it be in the world rankings. Therefore, Korda could quickly overcome this setback if she improves her results in the second half of the season.
However, the 15-time LPGA Tour winner has proven herself prepared for these kinds of moments throughout her career.
"As many highs as I've had, I've had a lot of lows too with this sport," she said during her pre-AIG Women's Open press conference, "but I still come back and I still want to experience those highs in all the different circumstances, different golf courses, different conditions. And just continue to grow my love for the game."
Korda reached the top spot in the world rankings in June 2021, holding it for 29 consecutive weeks. He then spent the next two seasons moving up and down the rankings until he regained the top spot in March 2024 and held it until this week.
She has had a solid year, although not at the levels expected after her historic previous season. The 27-year-old has achieved five top-10 finishes in 12 LPGA tournaments, including two second places, but has not won a single title.
In contrast, last season she won seven events, five of them in a row, including a major championship.
Nelly Korda of the United States looks on on the 18th green during the third round of the AIG Women's Open 2025 at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club on August 02, 2025 in Bridgend, Wales.
Nelly Korda of the United States looks on on the 18th green during the third round of the AIG Women's Open 2025 at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club on August 02, 2025 in Bridgend, Wales.
Getty Images/Warren Little
Thitikul, meanwhile, started the season in the best possible way: winning the PIF Saudi Ladies International on the Ladies European Tour. On the LPGA Tour, she has played 12 events with only one finish outside the top 25 (missing the cut at the US Women's Open).
Her results on the world's main tour include one victory (Mizuho Americas Open) and seven top-10 finishes. Her two second places are also noteworthy.
As you may recall, Thitikul closed last season by winning the CME Group Tour Championship, for which she received the largest paycheck in all of women's professional golf: $4 million.
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