Nelly Korda: the fighter
Nelly Korda is tough. Don’t underestimate her. This is just the beginning. “I get referred to as Petr Korda's daughter and Jessica Korda's little sister, and now I'm going to be referred to as Sebastian Korda's little sister,” Nelly has said about her family ties.
With a tennis grand-slam winner for a father, a six-time LPGA Tour winner for a sister, and a brother who became a first-time winner on the ATP Tour this year and is about to play his first Wimbledon, Nelly can feel as if her career has been overshadowed by her siblings. But Nelly has said she doesn’t think about it at all and there has never been any fierce rivalry. “I think it's cool,” Nelly has said. “That just means that they're doing well, and hopefully they'll be referred to as Nelly Korda's big or little sister, too.”
At the Women’s PGA Championship we now know how to refer to Nelly Korda: major winner and world number one. Stepping firmly out of any so-called shadows. The success couldn’t be more deserved, after her tireless hard work and relentless pursuit of being the best American on Tour. She has been a model professional since bursting onto the scene a month before her 15th birthday qualifying for the U.S Women's Open in 2013. She has always fought until the end, and a major has been at the forefront of her mind. This fighting instinct, forged in her family roots, has propelled Korda to the pinnacle of the game. Talent, poise and application. It’s brilliant to watch.
“This new major winning mentality could provide the catalyst for something remarkably special this year for Korda”
What has changed for the 22 year-old this campaign? She hinted a few weeks ago after listening to Bubba Watson, she had to drop her shoulders and relax. “I just have to realise it’s golf. There is going to be a lot more tournaments ahead of me and I’m going to miss a lot more cuts, I bet you that. But as long as I’m learning from each situation, I think that’s the most important.” So, is this a new attitude? A good platform for breaking down the game mentally certainly. Look at the long term play, not just the short term goals. It’s the same hard work, but more belief in trusting her ability and not trying to take things as seriously as perhaps she has done before. She said: “This is something I have worked for since I was 14, since I played in my first tournament I wanted to be a major champion and to get it done here, it's really special.”
It could get even more special. The rest of the year ahead has a series of huge events still to come, including two more majors, the Olympic Games and the Solheim Cup in early September. It could really be a year to remember and the first spark of perhaps one singular figure looking to dominate the tour. As ever, easier said than done, and with the competition and depth at each and every tournament, highly unlikely. But if there was one, Korda perhaps has the perfect balance for the first time in her career of application vs a cool head.
She looks devastatingly composed. While she has said she is taking time to assess her options, she is now World No1. The one thing you do as World No1? You defend your crown. Perhaps, this new major winning mentality could provide the catalyst for something remarkably special this year for Korda.
Watch this space. The fighter is now at the top of the tree.
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