JUST under a month after a runner-up finish at the U.S. Women’s Open, Nelly Korda, the world’s top-ranked golfer, is poised for another major championship bid at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
Despite not yet having a win this season, Korda felt the surge of adrenaline battling for the U.S. Women’s Open title and is channeling that into her preparation for the tournament at Fields Ranch East in PGA Frisco, Texas, starting Thursday (Friday, June 20, 2025, PH time).
“There’s nothing like it, being in contention, so I think that’s kind of what makes me hungrier to come back and to work harder and put myself into that position,” Korda remarked, emphasizing her positive outlook on the recent close call.
While the U.S. Women’s Open title remains elusive for the 26-year-old, who first played the event at 14, she boasts two major championships among her 15 career victories: the 2021 Women’s PGA and last year’s Chevron Championship.
Korda, along with Jeeno Thitikul and Lydia Ko, the top three players globally, will play together for the first two rounds on the recently opened PGA headquarters course in North Texas.
Thitikul, the 22-year-old from Thailand with five career wins, expressed a modest goal: “Every major, I just want to make the cut, to be honest. What I have now under my belt, I’m pretty happy with all I’ve achieved. If I can get it, it would be great.”
A minor neck injury flared up for Korda during a practice round, causing her to skip the champions dinner. Despite needing therapeutic tape, she confirmed her readiness for Thursday.
This marks Korda’s tenth start in a season that has seen 15 different winners across 15 tournaments, including new major champions Maja Stark and Mao Saigo.
Korda, who missed the cut at last year’s Women’s PGA and U.S. Women’s Open, noted the new course’s likely firm greens and the challenge strong winds could pose, adding, “this is what I love about playing in majors, this is what I love about the game, is that it tests you in every single way.” / From the wires