When history is made in golf, players typically gather around screens worldwide. They send congratulatory texts within minutes. They post emotional tributes on social media. It’s an unwritten rule in the tight-knit golf community – you celebrate each other’s milestones. But sometimes, even the biggest stars break from tradition. And Nelly Korda‘s recent revelation about Rory McIlroy‘s Masters triumph proves exactly that.
During Wednesday’s pre-tournament press conference at the JM Eagle LA Championship, the world No. 1 dropped a surprising admission. “I did not watch at all,” Korda revealed when asked about McIlroy’s career-defining Masters victory. “I don’t think I watched one shot of that final round. I didn’t even watch the Masters too much this year.”
Her candid response raised eyebrows immediately. Both Korda and McIlroy are prominent TaylorMade athletes. They’ve appeared in promotional content together, and their equipment partnership connects them professionally in multiple ways. Yet when McIlroy achieved golf’s rarest feat—completing the career Grand Slam—Korda wasn’t tuned in.
The disconnect extended beyond just viewing habits. When asked if she reached out to congratulate McIlroy, Korda replied simply, “No. Yeah, I don’t have his number, so, no.” This revelation seems particularly unusual given their shared sponsor relationship and status as faces of TaylorMade’s global marketing efforts.
Despite not watching, Korda still acknowledged McIlroy’s achievement with genuine respect. “Hats off to him. That’s such an amazing accomplishment,” she said. “Especially with all the outside noise, all the pressure leading up to it. For him to set that aside and go out there and play golf is incredible to see.” This statement shows Korda’s awareness of McIlroy’s journey—his 14-year pursuit of the Masters title since his heartbreaking collapse in 2011, and the immense pressure he faced as the only missing piece in his Grand Slam puzzle. Her comments suggest she probably followed the event through social media updates rather than direct viewing.
Apr 21, 2024; The Woodlands, Texas, USA; Nelly Korda (USA) waits to putt on the ninth green during the final round of The Chevron Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
While Korda kept her distance from the Masters excitement, other LPGA stars took a completely different approach to engaging with McIlroy’s historic moment. Their reactions painted a fascinating picture of how differently women golfers connect with events on the men’s tour.
LPGA stars show varying levels of Masters engagement
In stark contrast to Korda’s approach, fellow LPGA star Lilia Vu couldn’t contain her excitement about McIlroy’s victory. “I sure did,” Vu exclaimed when asked if she watched the final round. “I thought it was amazing. He didn’t start off very great. Doubled the first hole and ended up doubling another hole on the back nine.”
Vu’s perspective highlighted McIlroy’s mental fortitude throughout the challenging round. “To be resilient and kind of just step up to the plate, I feel like he had a lot of people doubting him because this was the chip on his shoulder, right? Last one and he hasn’t won a major in 11 years. He finally just did it,” she reflected.
The emotional impact on Vu was so significant it registered physically. “It’s quite funny. I posted on my social media, my WHOOP stress monitor went up at that time. Told me I was in 36 minutes of high stress watching the last couple holes,” she revealed with a laugh. Her connection to the moment went beyond casual interest to genuine admiration. “I look up to Rory and I’m so happy for him and it was so fun to watch.”
Social media posts from the wider LPGA community showed similar diversity. Jin Young Ko purchased in-flight Wi-Fi specifically to watch McIlroy’s final round. Alexa Pano shared that she was “so happy I could cry” following his win. Hannah Green described the viewing experience as an emotional rollercoaster.
Korda’s stance is particularly intriguing given her own pursuit of a career Grand Slam. She currently holds two different major championships. When asked about completing her own slam, Korda acknowledged, “If you ask any professional golfer, that’s a goal at the end of your career, to have all the majors under their belts.”
Professional golfers connect with the sport in uniquely personal ways. Some find inspiration in their peers’ accomplishments, while others maintain strict boundaries between their competitive focus and spectator interest. Korda’s revelation opens an interesting window into these different approaches.
As the golfing world continues celebrating McIlroy’s historic achievement, one question remains: Does one star need to watch another shine to appreciate their brilliance?
The post ‘I Did Not Watch’: Nelly Korda Breaks Silence as Rory McIlroy’s Grand Slam Win Sparks Chaos Among LPGA Stars appeared first on EssentiallySports.