By: Max Bechtoldt
Nelly Korda has locked up at least a share of the Rolex Player of the Year Title. This is her first Player of the Year win and now gives her 18 of the needed 27 points for LPGA Hall of Fame eligibility.
Korda is currently 100 points ahead of Lydia Ko, but because Ko only has two scheduled events left on her schedule, she will not be able to reach Korda’s 244 accumulated points. The maximum amount a player can earn in a non-major event is 30 for first place. Ko seemingly confirmed on Instagram that there would be no major scheduling changes.
The only player who could conceivably reach Korda’s mark of 244 is Ayaka Furue, but the odds are stacked heavily against her. Furue would have to win each of the last four events of the season, while Korda would have to finish outside of the top 10 in the last two events. Even if that happens, it would still be a share for the award.
Korda earned the award through her incredible early season play, somehow winning six out of the first eight events she played in 2024. This included her second-career major at the Chevron Championship.
Korda nearly won the award in 2021, and would have if the Olympic gold medal counted toward the points, as many believe it should. Her race with Jin Young Ko is the closest non-pandemic shortened season race since 2017, when So Yeon Ryu and Sung Hyun Park tied.
Korda’s 244 points earned so far this year are the most of any player since Ariya Jutanugarn in 2016 with 268. In that season, Jutanugarn had 5 wins and 16 top-10 finishes.
This is the second major award Korda has won this year from the LPGA Tour, after also winning the Rolex Annika Major Award.
