Lydia Ko Inadvertently Throws a Jibe at Augusta Chairman After He Downplays Nelly Korda’s Impressive Feat

The rapid rise of the college basketball player Caitlin Clark has overtaken Nelly Korda’s extraordinary run in the eyes of the Augusta National Chairman. Before Clark’s arrival, Chairman Fred Ridley said in a recent press conference that he had not seen a lot of women’s basketball until the arrival of Caitlin Clark. He continued by saying, “There’s something about, even with all the change in rules and NIL and transfer portal, but amateur athletes just have an appealing characteristic to me. And particularly the young ones,”. 

However, not everybody agrees with this view. According to rival golfer Lydia Ko, Korda hasn’t gotten the recognition she deserves despite her marvelous run. This season has become Nelly Korda’s best so far. With four straight victories, the World No. 1 is on track to create history. And Lydia Ko believes that Nelly Korda deserves her dues.

 All playing for second place: Lydia Ko on Korda’s hot streak

Lydia Ko appeared to take offense at Ridley’s comments, having personally witnessed Korda’s domination. When Ko was asked about Korda’s streak at the press conference for the Chevron Championship, she unintentionally gave a sly jab at the chairman’s views. “It’s showing and saying something about the player if they’re winning four weeks straight. I think it’s great for women’s golf, and I think with her playing well, it’s inspiring and motivating the rest of us to keep doing what we’re working on,” Ko said.

Ko then added, “This is definitely one of the best stretches I think a player has played in my 11 years on tour,” reminding fans of the significance of Korda’s achievement. She also compared Korda’s performance to legends like Annika Sorenstam and Ariya Jutanugarn, saying, “I saw that it was like May and Annika were maybe the last two that had won three, four events in a row.” 

All in all, Lydia Ko praised her LPGA rival Nelly Korda. She remarks on her experience playing with World No. 1, saying, “I was like, man, I shouldn’t have played, all playing for second place. But I was lucky enough to play alongside Nelly in Phoenix and she played great and she putted great.” It highlights the bond and connection these players feel for each other, even off the greens.

Does Nelly Korda have a chance to make history?

After winning the DIO Implant Open the previous week, Korda is on the verge of matching Nancy Lopez’s record of five straight LPGA Tour victories. She can make history this week at the Chevron Championship by being the first player to win five straight events since Lopez in 1978.

With his current form, Korda has a strong chance of winning the Chevron Championship. Despite the quality of the field, comprising previous winner Lydia Ko and reigning champion Lilia Vu, Korda has shown that she can defeat the best. She has a solid chance of winning the trophy if she keeps up her strong putting and keeps hitting sharp.

Korda would be immensely proud of herself if she won this week, as it would further establish her as the greatest player in the world. It would be a memorable occasion for her because it would be her first victory at the Championship. It is an important day for women’s golf as well since it demonstrates that the LPGA Tour features some of the world’s most exciting and accomplished players.