PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — Nelly Korda’s disappointment ultimately 12 months’s U.S. Girls’s Open, the place she completed as runner-up along with her greatest efficiency within the match’s historical past, rapidly become what she described on Tuesday as a “need for extra” that has stayed along with her ever since.
“I assumed there was no higher place to be than searching the again 9 of a serious on Sunday, particularly the Girls’s Open,” Korda stated. “Even when it doesn’t work out, you all the time wish to put your self again into it as a result of it makes all the trouble you set in within the off week price it.”
Because the world’s greatest gamers converge on Los Angeles’ historic Riviera Nation Membership for the primary time this week, Korda emerges because the undisputed greatest participant on the planet and the favourite to hoist the trophy on Sunday.
“I believe I am much more snug in my very own pores and skin. I do know what I wish to do once I come out,” Korda stated of how his angle has developed heading into the majors. “There is a course of, there is a construction. It is not like I am wanting round considering, ‘Oh, ought to I do that? Ought to I do some extra?'” I come right here with a plan and simply execute it. ”
Final month, Korda received his third main championship with a powerful victory on the Chevron Championship. Nobody got here inside 4 pictures of her on the weekend. This victory continued what was top-of-the-line data in her profession to this point.
Korda has began seven video games this season and has three wins, however his worst end result was a T-8 on the Kroger Queen Metropolis Championship two weeks in the past. All of her different six finishes have been both first place or second place.
In 2025, the 27-year-old had 9 top-10 finishes, however completed the 12 months with no win. That was from a historic 2024 season by which she received 5 straight and 7 general, together with the Chevron that 12 months.
“Final 12 months was type of a bizarre 12 months the place I did not essentially play my greatest, however once I did play, I did not get the bounce or I missed by a centimeter right here and there,” Korda stated. “However I additionally discovered quite a bit about myself. Being in that place made me hungrier.”
Whereas Korda cautioned that different gamers may see a down 12 months as a purpose to “reinvent the wheel” (change swing, caddie, coach, and so forth.), he stated it is necessary for him to stay to his course of.
“After not getting a win final 12 months, I undoubtedly obtained a bit bit extra motivation, however so far as simply preparation, the whole lot stayed the identical,” Korda stated. “I all the time attempt to assume, ‘Okay, that is going to work. I am working exhausting day-after-day and if I hold going this manner, issues will change.'”
As Korda detailed, the motivation she discovered led her to double down on her routine so as to hold herself in as a lot competitors as doable, particularly at main championships.
“I solely have in the future off per week. The opposite six days I all the time get up early. I am going to the golf course. I practice. I’ve remedy with Kim from morning till night time day-after-day. After that, round 5 or 6 p.m., I put together dinner and go to mattress early,” Korda stated. “These days are like sacrificing time at house with family and friends, nevertheless it’s price it as a result of there’s nothing extra emotional than taking part in a hunt.”
Though Korda balks on the concept of being the face of the ladies’s sport, there may be little doubt that a big Riviera crowd will comply with her this week as she seems to be to increase her main profession tally and change into the third American girl to win 4 majors since 2000.
