As the LPGA turns 75, Nelly Korda looks to make more history of her own

USA Today

30-01-2025

As the LPGA turns 75, Nelly Korda looks to make more history of her own
ORLANDO, Fla. – Nelly Korda took off about seven days after her historic 2024 before getting back to work. She went to Utah and tried new things, like dogsledding, which she said was fun but probably a one-and-done. She spent time in her Florida kitchen, whipping up goulash and fresh fish dinners with roasted asparagus, a sprinkling of garlic and parmesan cheese.
The world No. 1 basked in the everyday things that she doesn't take for granted.
'Spending time around family always kind of reenergizes my batteries,' Korda said.
For these next two weeks, at least, it's back to the grind of carrying a tour on her statuesque frame. Korda begins the weighty task of following up a six-win season at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions Jan. 30-Feb. 2 before defending her title back home in Bradenton, Florida. She'll then have a prolonged break as she once again skips the spring Asia swing.
On Wednesday, the LPGA unveiled a special logo in celebration of its 75th anniversary. The milestone comes in the midst of uncertainty, however, as the tour searches for its 10th commissioner.
To her credit, Korda raised her hand during the offseason, offering to be part of the process. While not on the official search committee, she will be included in a less formal way. The buy-in of the No. 1 player in the world, particularly one with the potential transcending star power of Korda, is crucial for whoever next takes the reins.
Korda's spectacular 2024 run actually began the week after the TOC, but she's had great success at Lake Nona, having won the 2021 Gainbridge LPGA over the Tom Fazio design. LPGA players who have won events over the past two seasons qualify for the season-opener, which features a $2 million purse. In addition to the 32 LPGA players, 49 celebrities and amateurs will compete in a modified Stableford format for a separate purse of $500,000.
Korda has made a number of close friends over the years at this event, and typically requests to play with the likes of country music singer Chris Lane and World Series champions Derek Lowe and Kevin Millar. She'll play Thursday's opening round alongside Lowe and LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam, who is once again part of the celebrity field.
As comfortable as Korda is here, it's nothing like world No. 2 Lydia Ko who, like Sorenstam, actually lives inside the gates at Lake Nona. Ko didn't win as much as Korda last season, but she made up for it with style, scripting her own unforgettable season with victories at the Paris Olympics and the Old Course at St. Andrews. The former put her into the LPGA Hall of Fame, while the latter gave her a third major championship title at the AIG Women's British Open.
She's now eyeing the career grand slam.
'Some people said you achieved it all, why do you still want to do it?' said Ko. 'I still feel like there is so much golf ahead and things that I want to improve on as a golfer.'
Seven LPGA players are making their tournament debut this week, including former No. 1 Jin Young Ko, Hannah Green and Minjee Lee. With the LPGA traditionally beginning its season in Florida for a couple weeks before heading to Asia, it's not unusual for international players to skip the opening swing. The tour's 1-in-4 rule, however, compels them to eventually make their way to every domestic event once every four years to avoid a hefty fine of $25,000.
Actor Don Cheadle is among a number of celebrities making their first appearance. The two-time Grammy Award winner and two-time Golden Globe winner lives around the corner from Riviera Country Club and met 27-year-old Lydia Ko for the first time in New Zealand when she was 15 years old. The pair immediately hit it off and have kept in touch over the years, recently having dinner together in Scottsdale.
'Every time she's about to play we text,' said Cheadle, 'and every time after a round, I text her.'
Ko and Cheadle will play the first round together alongside actor Michael Pena, Cheadle's co-star in the Amazon film, 'Unstoppable.'
'If I just don't embarrass myself, I think that will be a win,' said Cheadle, a self-described range rat who carries a handicap of seven.
Other first-time celebrities in the field include actor Anthony Anderson, Women's World Cup champion Brandi Chastain and NBA all-star Blake Griffin.