‘Have to Put [Friendship] Aside’: Nelly Korda Gets Honest About Long-Standing Lydia Ko Rivalry

As recently as two weeks ago, Nelly Korda was a nine-time LPGA Tour winner. However, the 25-year-old made history as she clinched the second victory at the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship to win on back-to-back starts. The win increased Korda’s LPGA accolades to ten and made her the 39th American golfer to get double-digit wins.

Though Korda’s records are outstanding, there is a significant competitor that has always head-butted her. Recently, the two met at the Drive On Championship. The former world number one, Lydia Ko, is another dominant player from the women’s circle who from time to time gives Korda a run for the wins. Though they might be friends, Korda explains if that relationship works on the course.

Nelly Korda has no friends on the course, not even Lydia Ko

“Lyds and I actually have a really good friendship,” said Nelly Korda as she described her friendship with Lydia Ko, which started via her older sibling Jessica Korda. Having played with each other for nearly a decade, the 10-time LPGA Tour winner revealed her appreciation for Ko and how the New Zealander served as a source of inspiration and iterated, “She’s been someone that I looked up to actually and also enjoyed playing alongside and competing against.”

However, though it had been fun to play against the Kiwi pro, Korda said, “When you play in playoffs you kind of have to put that aside.” Winning in the playoffs has been a thing for the 2024 Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship winner, as she has won four out of ten events through it, two of which were against Ko. So, to win in every event, Korda asserted that, just like her counterpart, she also has one goal in mind, which is to play the best golf and win the event.

The Bradenton native said, “Always have one goal in mind, and that’s to lift the trophy at the end of the playoff,” despite the off-course friendship. In the end, Korda reiterated that it doesn’t matter. “As friendly as you are when it comes to a playoff you just have to put that aside.” However, regardless of her competitive spirit and on-course persona, Korda also shed some light on her friendship with the 26-year-old and stated, “She’s one of my better friends out here.”

Although Ko is only a year older than the American golfer, she pressed on the experience gained in her long professional career. And with all that Ko has achieved, even the 10-time LPGA Tour winner could not shy away from applauding her despite their budding on-course rivalry.

Aspirational feat of Ko cheered by Korda

The 20-time LPGA Tour winner may soon enter the Hall of Fame shrine of the LPGA Tour, as she is only one point away from making it. Although it has not been done yet, the near possibility of it makes, Lydia Ko’s career seem like one anyone would aspire to have. And her friend Nelly Korda also found that to be “absolutely amazing.”

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Korda, who revealed that she has been watching Ko since 2011 and has witnessed her dominant beginnings, appreciatively said, “She’s super resilient and hardworking and super dedicated.” The 25-year-old further pressed that despite the ups and downs of the game, Ko “always bounced back.”

Amid her chase to the Hall of Fame, as people cheer her on, Ko has gained support from Korda too. “I definitely wish it upon her to be in the Hall of Fame,” said the world number one as she smiled at that thought. The Ko vs. Korda showdown may make another appearance at the FORD Championship. It’ll be interesting to see if it becomes the HOF chance for Lydia Ko or Nelly Korda to snatch the victory away.

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