Nelly Korda may not have won so far this season, but the world number one is definitely going to be one of the big favourites to triumph at the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl this week in the eyes of many.
It is fair to say that Nelly Korda sent a bit of a message to her rivals with her impressive performance at the Women’s Scottish Open last week. The American was playing in the event for the first time, but still managed to register a top 10 at Dundonald Links. She had been tied for second at the halfway stage.
The 27-year-old also has a very respectable Open Championship record under her belt. Korda also finished tied for second last year at St Andrews. Meanwhile, she has registered five top 15 finishes in her last six appearances in the final major of the year.
Royal Porthcawl will host the event for the first time ever this week. It has previously hosted the Senior Open Championship on three occasions, as well as the Curtis Cup back in 1964.
Nelly Korda issues her verdict on Royal Porthcawl after playing a practice round
Korda had not played the course before this week. However, she did manage to get some practice in on her 27th birthday on Monday.
And speaking to the media ahead of the opening round on Thursday, Korda issued her verdict on the Welsh course before suggesting which skills are likely to be vital in the coming days.
“That’s always the goal. New week, new golf course, new conditions. Played nine holes and then kind of chipped and putted on the back nine. The first four holes are beautiful. The views from the golf course are absolutely breathtaking, but you can definitely tell that, when the wind kind of picks up here, it’s going to be a really, really hard test,” she said.
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
“I feel like it’s maybe a little bit more demanding off the tee, as in maybe with other links courses, you can hit driver and there are some bunkers in the way, but here you definitely can’t hit driver. It sometimes may be an iron off the tee, but then with the wind direction and the wind strength, there’s just way too much trouble on the fairway. Once you’re in one of those bunkers, like in all links golf courses, it’s just a pitch-out.
“Very crucial to stay in play on the tee, but you hit an iron off the tee, and you’re probably going to have a longer club into the green too. So it’s going to be very demanding off the tee and making sure that you’re in good spots going into the greens.”
Nelly Korda takes exception with the suggestion that she is looking to prove a point this week at The Women’s Open
There is so much depth in the women’s game right now. Not one player has managed to win two events on the LPGA this season, with Korda the only person in the top eight in the Race to CME Globe standings without a victory.
Korda has won in Europe previously, including in London in 2023. But she is yet to pick off either of the two majors which are held on that side of the pond.
It was put to Korda in her press conference that it may be important for her to win around the world to potentially become a global icon. But the unassuming two-time major champion insisted that enhancing her reputation worldwide is not what she is actively trying to achieve.
“I feel like I don’t really have anything more to prove to people ever. For me it’s just I’m passionate about the game. I love the game. I love playing in these kind of conditions, testing my game, and getting to play against the best players in the world,” she said.
“Having something to prove to myself, I don’t think I really need to do that. For me it’s just enjoying it and being in the heat of the battle. I feel like, yeah, of course I want to accomplish more. There are goals that I have, goals that I set for myself.
“As to do to make myself feel whole about winning in every country that I play in, that’s definitely not my goal. My goal is to prepare the best that I can, enjoy myself, and hopefully be in contention. And then kind of enjoy the ride because, as many highs as I’ve had, I’ve had a lot of lows too with this sport, but I still come back and I still want to experience those highs in all the different circumstances, different golf courses, different conditions. And just continue to grow my love for the game.”
Results-wise, Korda has not kicked on in the manner many would have expected after her amazing 2024 season. But she has been playing extremely well all year, and there may be no better stage for her to end her current wait for a win than this week in Wales.
