2024 was a year of near-perfection for golf’s two most dominant players, Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda. Scheffler notched several PGA Tour wins, including the Arnold Palmer Invitational, THE PLAYERS Championship, and the Masters. On the LPGA side, Korda kicked off the 2024 season with an unprecedented five consecutive victories, including a major at the Chevron Championship. Both these pros redefined consistency, grinding through immense pressure and expectations. Starkly similar. Their similar story had kind of continued this year.
So, when a reporter at the Mizuho Americas Open asked Korda if she paid attention to the men’s side of the sport, particularly Scheffler’s recent 8-stroke win at the CJ Byron Nelson Cup, she offered a one-word response: “No.” Her blunt reply came during her pre-tournament press conference at Liberty National, where she was joined by teen prodigy Gianna Clemente. The question framed the similarities between Scheffler’s slow start this year before breaking through and Korda’s early-season momentum without a win at that point in 2025.
While Korda was quick to shut down comparisons or connections, she offered a measured take on her performance: “Yeah, I think this year has been kind of up and down. I’ve had some really good rounds and iffy rounds as well.” She didn’t sugarcoat it, instead leaning into the unpredictable nature of golf: “It’s never going to be easy, and when you think you kind of have it figured out, it’s just going to humble you really quickly.”
Korda’s most recent tournament was the Chevron Championship, where she finished tied for 14th at -2. Despite not securing a win yet in 2025, she has consistently placed within the top 25, with a notable runner-up finish at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. Rather than looking outward for motivation, Korda made it clear her focus is internal.
“Just always stay patient, keep doing what you’re doing,” she said, stressing the importance of controlling the controllables and blocking out distractions. “I think what I’ve just learned is that I’m going to control what I can control, and what I can’t control, I’m kind of going to let go of that and not stress about it. Just go about my business.”
The defending champ is in the house.
@nellykorda pic.twitter.com/jy0q1wI5tG
— Mizuho Americas Open (@MizuhoLPGA) May 6, 2025
Her words underscore a mindset rooted in self-discipline—a theme that has echoed through both her dominance and resilience in the sport. But her disinterest in tracking Scheffler’s rise reveals a surprising detachment, especially when players like Tiger Woods and Jin Young Ko have gone out of their way to publicly celebrate fellow champions. While Korda’s approach is centered on personal growth and control, her reluctance to engage with the success of others takes on a new dimension when considering her reaction to fellow athletes.
The Rory McIlroy snub: Why Nelly Korda’s silence surprised golf fans
Just last year, the TaylorMade trio of Nelly Korda, Rory McIlroy, and Tiger Woods shared the spotlight, flaunting chemistry during a putting challenge and standing united under Nike’s branding umbrella. On paper, their careers share plenty of parallels: both chasing a career Grand Slam, both marketable faces of their Tours, and both used to big stages.
That’s why it raised eyebrows when Korda revealed she didn’t watch McIlroy’s career-defining Masters win. “I did not watch at all. I don’t think I watched one shot of that final round,” she admitted. “I followed along mainly on social media.” Even more surprising was her follow-up: when asked if she’d reached out to congratulate McIlroy, Korda replied, “No. Yeah, I don’t have his number, so no.” While she did acknowledge his feat as “very impressive,” the absence of direct engagement, even a message, felt odd to many fans given their public association. Yet, Korda’s laser focus remains undeniable.
Whether skipping the Masters or missing the WNBA Draft (despite a friendship with Caitlin Clark), her priorities are clear: prepare, perform, and protect her headspace as she eyes more history of her own.
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