By: Max Bechtoldt
It is no secret that Nelly Korda and the LPGA Tour in general are having a moment currently. Korda is showing a level of dominance that hasn’t been seen in the women’s game since the Annika Sörenstam era. She has won four events in a row, out of only five played on the season. What is the reason for this dominance and should it be expected to continue?
Looking at the KPMG Performance Insights, which takes a look at the strokes gained stats, it is no surprise that Korda has been dominating.
Korda leads in strokes gained at 2.76 per round, ahead of Lydia Ko who is at 2.26 per round. That is roughly equivalent to the difference between Ko and Patty Tavatanakit, who is in seventh.
To nobody’s surprise, Korda’s strongest individual category is around the green, where she is only second to Minji Kang, who has played nine less rounds. Korda is averaging .78 strokes gained around the green. Korda is known to be one of the best chippers on the tour.
Overall, she leads tee-to-green, just ahead of her best friend Megan Khang. Korda is gaining 2.19 in the non-putting metrics. She is No. 11 in driving and No. 14 in approach. She does have the third most greens in regulation though.
Korda’s dominance off the green, has also translated on the green where she is averaging .23 strokes gained putting. While this number isn’t much higher than her average on the last couple of years, the eye test says differently. Korda is hitting her par putts when needed.
Korda was fantastic at the Chevron Championship in 2023, playing better tee-to-green with anyone. If the putter is average this year, she has a terrific chance to run away with this title.
