[Photos: Courtesy of LPGA Tour]
Nelly Korda woke up at 5:18am in New York City, the one that never sleeps, to meet her glam squad ahead of a media tour across America after her recent US Women’s Open victory at Riviera Country Club.
The world’s top-ranked player and winner of the LPGA’s season’s first two majors is under a brighter spotlight than ever, and Monday’s media tour that included appearances on “Today”, CNBC and a stop in front of her billboard could help make her more of a household name at a time when her tour is looking for all the publicity it can get.
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On “Today 3rd Hour”, Korda, who is sponsored by Nike, wore a cream-coloured Nike Golf jacket with a white blouse, Aritzia skirt and Nike shoes. She appeared in the segment with anchors Craig Melvin, Al Roker and Dylan Dreyer. Korda met Dreyer previously during the LPGA’s season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
“It was definitely cool. I always love seeing the behind-the-scenes,” Korda told Golf Digest after appearance. “That’s what I get mesmerised by. As an athlete, we’re kind of all about our process and what other people don’t see. I loved seeing all the behind-the-scenes of how hectic life on set is and how fast they move everything. I was really impressed with that…
“I’ve definitely watched the show here and there with my morning coffee or my breakfast, so it was pretty insane to be on it.”
Nelly Korda in New York in front of her own billboard.
Korda, 27, discussed her big victory in Los Angeles, which gives her four wins in majors, and gave Dreyer swing tips.
She narrowly missed a chance to meet New York Knicks players Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and the rest of the starting line-up that just won the NBA championship and were on the show, but earlier and outdoors. She did get to meet a fellow guest, actress Zoey Deutch, who was promoting her new Netflix and Minions movies.
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Korda’s make-up was professionally done and her hair was down and wavy, such a different look than her signature bun under a visor on the golf course.
“I love being feminine; it’s not something that I’m like always in, obviously,” Korda said. “I wear a lot of golf clothes and athletic wear and leggings and whatnot, because I just bounce from golf to a gym and kind of chilling at home. So, it’s fun to do, and I really enjoy it. It’s another way to express yourself.”
Korda then made a stop in front of her digital billboard on 34th and 7th and was all mega-smiles posing in front of the ad that read: “It’s not easy making it look this easy.”
Nelly Korda relaxes before going on the US edition of the “Today” show.
Asked what her 13-year-old self would’ve thought of someone telling her she’d one day be gracing a billboard in Manhattan after winning the US Women’s Open, Korda said: “You’re lying! She would be absolutely over-the-moon ecstatic. More like, ‘Are you serious?’ This is such a pinch-me moment. There’s been so many times in the past week and a half where I’ve had pinch-me moments and I’ve been like, ‘Oh, my gosh, am I a 13-year-old girl still?’”
The LPGA surprised Korda with some LPGA Girls Golf participants there to greet her, and maybe one of those girls will one day win a major, too.
“That was absolutely amazing,” said Korda, who has long signed autographs for children after rounds and often doing so until everyone has one. There could come a point in her career where she won’t be able to sign for everyone.
After her chat, she was off to CNBC at the New York Stock Exchange, and like any comedy, music or entertainment tour, there was an outfit change. For this appearance, she was dressed in a Nike sportswear top and Aritzia blazer.
The LPGA needs and wants to capitalise on Korda’s star power and translate it into higher ratings and ticket sales and more. Monday was a good day for the tour.
“Nelly is a total superstar, and as we know, superstars help grow sports and generate fans,” LPGA commissioner Craig Kessler told Golf Digest. “…These are opportunities that very, very few athletes receive, and they reflect both what Nelly’s accomplished and the profile that she’s built.
“It’s cool to me to see that Nelly’s been incredibly willing to step into those moments. I think she understands that growing the game means reaching beyond traditional golf audiences. Every new fan who discovers Nelly could potentially become a new fan of the LPGA, and that’s why days like today matter.”
Kessler didn’t know Korda until he took over as LPGA commissioner last July, and he continues be more impressed by her as an athlete and person.
“To see her transformation and how comfortable she’s become in the spotlight, her willingness to do things outside the ropes that helps not just her brand, but frankly helps the tour, I am so impressed by what she’s doing and how she’s doing it,” Kessler said. “Frankly, I’m grateful to her and so many of her peers for stepping into the spotlight and doing their part to help grow the LPGA. Nelly deserves it. She’s earned it.”
The majors matter and Korda has set up her schedule to prioritise those. It shows. And she’s starting to open up more and show more personality. In 2024, the LPGA didn’t take advantage of Korda’s seven wins and record-tying five consecutive win streak. Korda is different now, too, and it’s showing.
“I think in 2024, it was more just that I wasn’t sure how to maybe handle it, but I’ve grown a lot through it,” Korda told Golf Digest. “I am a very private person, but I think there is a strength in being vulnerable, and I want to show people we’re not robots. We’re human beings. We’re gonna have ups and downs.
“We have emotions, and I think it is really important to express your emotions in any way that you want, and just be yourself. I really just wanted everyone to see me for who I am, and not for someone that they wanted me to be, who they’ve painted their story of me. I wanted to paint my own picture.”
She hopes that picture will include more major victories, and she’ll have the chance to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship for a second time later this month. The major will be at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota, where Australia’s Hannah Green won in 2019.
“I’m just going to prepare as best as I can, and my attitude is that I’m going to control what I can control, and if I’ve prepared the best that I can; I’m always gonna give it 100 percent,” Korda said. “I don’t think anyone can ever say that I’m not a grinder, I’m fighting until the last putt drops. That is what I’m going to control. If someone shoots a better scorer than I have, I can’t do anything about that.”
After not winning all of last season, Korda is again on the hot pace she was in 2024. She has already won four tournaments and has three other runner-up finishes in eight starts.
“She’s grinded her entire life, and she’s being rewarded,” Kessler said. “The season that she’s having right now is off the charts.”
Asked what she hopes these national audiences, many of whom might not know her, will learn, Korda said: “That I smile when I’m on the golf course. I’m very giggly, and I have a very different personality on the golf course, but that’s because I’m very much in the zone. Like other athletes we have some amazing personalities on the LPGA Tour, and they actually invest in seeing our personalities.”
