Prior to the conclusion of the LPGA season, Nelly Korda secures the first Player of the Year title.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda has already won the coveted Rolex LPGA Player of the Year title in an incredible season, confirming her supremacy on the circuit. With three games left in her historic 2024 season, Korda has already won six of her first eight starts, solidifying her place as the 27th player to receive this accolade since it was first given out in 1966. With this victory, the 26-year-old Korda’s record gains a vital LPGA Hall of Fame point, putting her current total of 18 points closer to the 27 points needed for entry into the Hall of Fame.
Korda expressed her appreciation for the honor, saying, “Winning the Rolex Player of the Year means so much to me.” This season has had many ups and downs, and I’m grateful to my team for their support. Sharing this moment with them is an honor since it was a team effort.
Contents
Wins in a Row for American Players
After the previous year’s winner, Lilia Vu, Korda’s victory is the first time since 1994 that American players have won Player of the Year twice in a row. Betsy King (1993) and Beth Daniel (1994) were the last pair to accomplish this, demonstrating the return of American talent to the international LPGA scene.
How Points for Player of the Year Are Calculated
Top-10 finishes in LPGA events earn points toward the Player of the Year award, and Korda has nine top-10 finishes in her 14 outings this season. The only player who had a mathematical possibility of tying Korda was Ayaka Furue of Japan, but she would have needed to have a perfect finish, winning every event left, to maintain her aspirations.
A Fantastic Season Marked by Significant Victories
A remarkable victory at the Chevron Championship and a notable runner-up performance to Lydia Ko at the AIG Women’s British Open, where she won the Rolex Annika Major Award, are highlights of Korda’s 2024 campaign. Both honors will be formally given to Korda on November 20 at the Rolex LPGA Awards Ceremony, which is held in Naples, Florida, during the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.
Overcoming Obstacles and Looking Ahead
Even though Korda hasn’t participated since she withdrew from the Kroger Queen City Championship in September after suffering a small neck injury, her recent recuperation has been encouraging. After receiving the all-clear from her physician, Korda returned to practice last week, reassuring her friends and followers on social media.
From November 14–17, Korda will make her comeback at the Gainbridge-powered Annika at Pelican in Belleair, Florida, where she has already won twice. She is scheduled to play in two more unofficial events, the Grant Thornton Invitational and the PNC Championship in December, to further extend her stellar season after concluding her official LPGA season at the CME Group Tour Championship.
Looking Ahead: The Legacy of Nelly Korda in Women’s Golf
Nelly Korda’s reputation in professional golf is expanding slowly thanks to her remarkable accomplishments and steady performances. This most recent honor not only demonstrates her talent and tenacity but also positions her as a powerful figure in the history of women’s golf. It would be fascinating to follow Korda’s career as she looks to improve on her achievements and possibly earn a spot in the LPGA Hall of Fame.
Nelly Korda’s dedication to her sport and her outstanding staff have placed her among the top players on the LPGA Tour in a year filled with both victories and setbacks.
