Nelly Korda Eyes Repeat Success as LPGA Season Kicks Off

ORLANDO, Fla. — The LPGA Tour’s 2025 season begins this week, and world No. 1 Nelly Korda is ready to build on her historic 2024 campaign. Korda, who won seven tournaments last year, including her second major, is set to compete in the season-opening event at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando.

Korda revealed Tuesday that her offseason was brief, with just seven days off after competing in the PNC Championship with her father in December. During that time, she enjoyed family moments, cooking, and even tried dog sledding in Utah. “That was more of like a one-and-done situation,” Korda said of the snowy adventure. “It was a really cool experience, but I will probably never be doing that ever again.”

Her focus now shifts to replicating her dominant 2024 season, which included five consecutive victories—tying an LPGA record. Korda described the year as “very, very, very crazy,” acknowledging the challenges of injuries and setbacks but emphasizing the lessons learned. “It was a learning experience,” she said, highlighting the importance of managing expectations and her schedule.

Korda will skip the LPGA’s early-year Asia swing and instead defend her titles at the Ford Championship, T-Mobile Match Play, and Chevron Championship later in the season. She noted that defending titles comes with unique challenges. “The field is different. There [are] different girls in the field. Weather is different. Golf course could be different. There are so many variabilities that just completely change it,” she explained.

This week’s tournament, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, features a 32-player field, partly due to Korda’s dominance in recent years. Despite her success, Korda has yet to win this event, though her sister Jessica claimed the title in 2021. Korda tied for 16th last year.

Armed with new equipment, including a driver, Korda is optimistic about the season ahead. “It’s a different, relaxed vibe,” she said of the season opener. “And no better way to start off the year than playing in this event.”