BELLEAIR, Fla. — Nelly Korda didn’t know brother Sebastian had come out to watch her play on Sunday until she’d finished. He’d never seen her win on the LPGA before, and his presence at The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican was a gift in itself. The siblings hadn’t seen each other since the summer, when Nelly went to watch him compete in the U.S. Open.
“For him to drive an hour and 40 with three holes remaining,” said Korda, “one, he was very confident in me, and, two, just really nice to have his support and be out here.”
Family and team mean everything to Korda, and she credits much of her monumental seven-win season to those who occupy her bubble. This week, she made certain to mention longtime physio Kim Baughman early and often. The pair have spent a great deal of time together in the lead-up to this event after Korda suffered a neck injury before she was scheduled to fly to Asia.
The Annika: Leaderboard | Photos
“I mean, it was three times a day that I was seeing her and she lives 40 minutes away,” said Korda. “So she was coming to my house three times a day. Before and after practice, I mean, to every work out. I think she needs a vacation that I will gladly pay for.”
Korda said she rushed her rehab to get back for this week. Now a three-time champion at Pelican Golf Club, the World No. 1 relishes playing close to home. Her first victory of the season was practically in the backyard of her parents’ house in Bradenton, Florida, just down the road from where she was born.
With her most recent victory on the LPGA coming in May, Korda said it felt like lifetimes have passed since a torrid streak that included five consecutive wins. Since that time, there was the 10 at the U.S. Women’s Open; the unbelievable 81 at the KPMG Women’s PGA; the dog bite at a coffee shop; final-round heartbreaks in Paris and St. Andrews; and migraines that led to neck pain and a forced two-month break this fall.
Through it all, Korda showed an enviable resilience.
“She’s pretty badass,” said Sebastian, “she’s as tough as it gets.”
Charley Hull f England and Nelly Korda of the United States prepare to play the first hole during the final round of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican 2024 at Pelican Golf Club on November 17, 2024 in Belleair, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
On Sunday in Belleaire, Korda began the final round one stroke back of Charley Hull and found herself further back early on Sunday…
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