Nelly Korda’s breakout 2021 season was something certainly appreciated inside golf circles given her impressive accomplishments: Four LPGA wins, including a first career Major; a 68.774 stroke average; victory at the Tokyo Olympics; and the top spot in the Rolex Women’s World Ranking, the first time an American was No.1 since 2014.
Turns out, others noticed these successes, too. Forbes Magazine recently unveiled its 10th annual 30 Under 30 list of standout athletes and sport-industry officials, and Korda, 23, was among the honourees.
Korda’s entry cited her standout play, noting too how she made her first cut at the US Women’s Open at age 14.
Among others named to the list were MLB’s Vladimir Guerrero Jnr, NBA’s Devin Booker, Olympic gymnastics gold medallist Sunisa Lee, WNBA’s Jonquel Jones and NFL QB Dak Prescott.
According to Forbes, the list recognises not only athletes but “front-office standouts, inventive entrepreneurs and accomplished sports professionals shaping the future of the industry”. A four-judge panel selected the winners, who all had to be younger than 30 as of December 31, 2021 and could not have been named to the list in previous years.
The last time a tour pro was on the sports list was 2019 when Justin Thomas and Lexi Thompson both appeared.
PHOTO: Kevin C. Cox
