‘Tokyo Olympics Gold’ Nelly Korda: "Now I'm the Trend"

Leading with a powerful 270-yard drive for a 1-stroke victory, from 'Major Queen' to Olympic champion, equipped with sports family DNA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ‘Now I am the trend’.

It is the ‘prime era’ of world No.1 Nelly Korda (USA, photo). She secured a one-stroke victory (17-under 267) in the women's golf event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics held on the 7th at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Saitama Prefecture, Japan (par 71, 6,648 yards). After shooting 9-under on the second day to leap into the lead, she fended off persistent chases from silver medalist Inami Mone (Japan) and bronze medalist Lydia Ko (New Zealand) to hold on to the top spot until the end.

Despite Korda’s unstoppable momentum, the ‘world’s strongest’ Korean women’s golf team ended up without a medal. ‘Number 2’ Ko Jin-young (26) and Kim Se-young (28, Mediheal) tied for 9th place, Kim Hyo-joo (26, Lotte) tied for 15th, and ‘Rio Olympic gold medalist’ Park In-bi (33, KB Financial Group) settled for a tie at 23rd place. Korda debuted on the LPGA Tour in 2017 and has accumulated six career wins. Initially, she was noted as the younger sister of Jessica Korda.

After claiming her first career victory at the 2018 Swinging Skirts Taiwan Championship, she earned two wins in 2019, gaining recognition for her skills. This year, she is showcasing peak performance. In June, she was crowned ‘Major Queen’ by winning the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, becoming the only player to secure three wins this year. She leads in earnings ($1,856,649), scoring average (68.89), Player of the Year points (161), and CME Globe Race points (2796). She also claimed the world No.1 ranking in June.

Born in 1998, she is a 23-year-old ‘young talent’. She is sponsored by the Korean company Hanwha Q CELLS. Her main weapon is her long drive, averaging 273.78 yards (10th), generated from her 178 cm height. During the Tokyo Olympics, she made an impressive eight birdies on par-5 holes over four days. Her fairway hit rate (73.42%, 61st) and greens in regulation (75.00%, 16th) are also solid. Her putting average per hole is outstanding at 1.76 (13th). Her aggressive play is highlighted by leading in eagles (10) and ranking second in birdies (224).

Korda comes from a ‘sports family’. Her father, Petr, was the 1998 Australian Open men’s singles champion, and her mother, Regina, reached the round of 16 in the US Open women’s singles in 1989 and 1991. The youngest sibling, Sebastian, is also a tennis player. Jessica has accumulated six career wins. In January, the sisters made history by winning consecutive tournaments: Jessica won the Diamond Resort Tournament opener, and Nelly won the Gainbridge LPGA, marking the second-ever ‘sisters winning consecutive tournaments’ record.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.