Nelly Korda did have a great run last year on the LPGA Tour. Truly! She bagged seven wins in one season, but sometimes golfers need a bit of luck and that’s exactly what happened with Korda last year. Drive On Championship in Jan. 2024 witnessed Korda and Lydia Ko compete, but when the former’s four-shot lead slipped away, Ko was much closer to a victory, which would have earned her a berth into the LPGA Hall of Fame.

So Korda’s looper, Jason McDede, stepped in with some advice. “He pretty much told me to get my head out of my a–,” Korda revealed in her post-round press conference. Then, luck also did its trick. She teed off on the par-5 17th with a 3-wood and while she didn’t particularly love the strike, it worked. She had a perfect 3-wood approach distance waiting for her. It gave her the chance to aim directly at the pin.

Then, as one would expect, the golfer bombed her 18th tee shot down the middle, which set up a nice 7-iron distance into the green. While Korda floated her second shot more than what she would have preferred, she could be seen mouthing, “Fly. Please fly.” 

While Ko missed a short-range par putt, Korda captured her ninth LPGA victory and also denied Ko entry into the LPGA Hall of Fame. What does she have to say about this now?

At the Founders Cup post-round presser this month, Nelly Korda was asked about denying Lydia Ko’s early Hall of Fame entry, to which she wilfully agreed. When asked if they talk about it, she said, “I feel better now. No, we didn’t. I did send her a message after the playoff though. You know, we’ve been friends for a long time. We’ve played in many groups together throughout our careers on tour.”

Even though they are always fighting for the title, the #1 feels more comfortable being in the same group as Ko. They even call the group ‘Ko-Orda’ pairing. They became friends through Jessica Korda, and to watch them play together is a delight indeed. “She’s always someone that I enjoy talking to and playing with. There is no bad blood, I hope. On my side, there is not, but I don’t know about hers,” added Nelly Korda.

Korda did delay the entry, but honestly not by a lot. You see, finally, in August 2024, Ko was inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame after winning the Olympic gold medal in Paris. She was the 35th inductee and the youngest too. 

Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko have indeed been great friends. They have played with each other for almost a decade now, and Lydia Ko is almost like an inspiration to her. However, the narrative is completely different when they are competing.

Nelly Korda puts friendship aside when on the course!

“Lyds and I have a really good friendship,” Nelly Korda shared in 2024. “She’s always been someone I’ve looked up to. I’ve enjoyed playing alongside her and competing against her, too.” 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 playoffs has become a signature move for Nelly Korda, especially after her victory in the 2024 Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship. Out of the ten events she played, she clinched four wins through playoffs, and two of those were against none other than Lydia Ko. When it comes to winning, Korda made it clear that her goal is pretty simple. Just like Ko, she’s all about playing her best golf and taking home the win. 

The Bradenton native shared, “Always have one goal in mind, and that’s to lift the trophy at the end of the playoff,” despite the strong off-course friendship.

Korda emphasized, “As friendly as you are when it comes to a playoff you just have to put that aside.” But despite her competitive edge and fierce on-course persona, Korda also opened up about her bond with the 27-year-old, saying, “She’s one of my better friends out here.”

What are your thoughts on the friendship between two of the best female golfers in the world? Let us know in the comments section below!