By: Max Bechtoldt
One of the greatest runs in golf history is over, as Nelly Korda walked away from a golf tournament without a trophy for the first time since Jan. 18. Pretty jarring when it’s put like that huh? While a seventh place finish wouldn’t be a disappointment for any other player, we’ve, perhaps unfairly, come to expect the best out of Korda.
For much of the weekend her game looked shaky at best, and bad at its worst. She shot two consecutive over par rounds on the weekend, 73 both days, and struggled with her ball-striking and putting. On the four rounds she had 128 putts, compare that to winner Rose Zhang who had 20 less.
Regardless, its impressive to finish in the top 10 with far from your best stuff. It is hard to win on the LPGA Tour, something I think many have taken for granted during this run. Winning five tournaments in a row is a Herculian task that will likely not be seen again for a long time.
So what should our expectations be for the rest of Korda’s season?
I think it is reasonable to expect more wins from Korda in 2024. While five would be the most tournaments won in a single season since 2021, the season still hasn’t really reached its peak. Especially considering some of the courses she traditionally has played best on are ahead.
One that immediately jumps out is the Meijer LPGA Classic, played in Belmont Michigan. Korda won here in 2021, really kick-starting her breakout season. She holds the tournament scoring record on the course and also went to a playoff in 2022. In fact, dating back to 2018, Korda has never finished outside of the top 10 at the course.
The other main one is the Annika Driven by Gainbridge at Pelican. Korda capped off her incredible 2021 with a thrilling playoff victory at Pelican Golf Club, then returned after injury for an emotional win in 2022.
If Korda wants her second major of the season, I see her best bet as the Evian Championship. The last three times Korda has played at Evian she has finished in the top 20, including top 10s the last two years. Evian usually provides a strong winner, with Brooke Henderson, Celine Boutier, Minjee Lee and Jin Young Ko all winning recently.
Of course, the Solheim Cup and Olympics are also moments to circle. Despite a 7-4-1 record in Solheim competition, Korda has never been part of a winning team. And in Paris at the Olympics, she will be the defending gold medalist.
Korda is in all likelihood, guaranteed to win the LPGA Player of the Year and looks very strong for the Vare trophy as well. The question now is if her full season will be merely great, or historic.
