Nelly Korda Reflects on Regretful Season Ending at U.S. Open

NAPLES, Fla. — Nelly Korda finished the LPGA season in disappointment, reflecting on missed opportunities after a challenging year. “It was a grind,” Korda said on Sunday, summarizing her winless 2025 season. The pressure to perform followed her after her remarkable seven-win year in 2024, but this time, success eluded her.

Korda pinpointed one shot that encapsulated her struggles this year: her swing on the 18th hole during the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills. “I hit that shot so good… but because of the adrenaline, I hit it probably 10 yards too long and a little bit too left,” she explained. That shot placed her in a position she vowed to avoid, haunting her thoughts long after.

The U.S. Women’s Open is Korda’s most coveted tournament, yet it has historically posed challenges. In 2023, she finished with a score of 80 at Pebble Beach and had a repeat performance in 2024 at Lancaster Country Club. This year, Korda approached the tournament with a different mindset to rewrite her narrative. “If you want to feel it, you will feel it,” she remarked, recognizing the pressure of expecting to compete at high levels. “What’s really important is sticking to your game plan and being really focused.”

Despite her solid play at Erin Hills, which included leading in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green, the final round turned into a missed opportunity. Needing to catch Maja Stark, Korda propelled her tee shot down the fairway and sent her second shot towards the flag. However, it rolled over the green into a valley, leading to a bogey. “When you come so close…the one thing you want to do is hold the trophy at the end of the day,” Korda said, reflecting on her near miss.

Throughout 2025, Korda showcased impressive stats, even outperforming her 2024 numbers in several areas. However, her performance deteriorated around the greens. Had her shot on 18 landed safely on the green, she could have faced a putt for eagle, potentially shifting the tournament’s outcome. “Crazier things in golf have happened,” she noted.

Despite finishing third at the Tour Championship, trailing Jeeno Thitikul by six shots, Korda described her season as a difficult one to explain. She credited her improvements and health but lamented the absence of trophies. “The highs are like seeing flashes of my game that I’m excited about,” Korda said, while acknowledging the frustration of hard work not yielding desired results.

The competitive nature of the sport struck Korda, who reflected on the lessons of the year. “Expectations and listening to outside noises…just sticking to what I know,” she advised. As she moves forward, Korda’s major championship dreams linger alongside the memories of the shots that could have changed her season.