NAPLES, Fla. — Success is never linear. That’s the kind of perspective that helps Nelly Korda feel grateful about all that 2025 offered, even if there were no trophies. One year after Korda won seven times on the LPGA, she got shut out. A record 29 players won on the tour this season, and the former No. 1 wasn’t among them.
It’s a storyline that at least rivals Jeeno Thitikul’s season-ending sweep as the biggest of the year.
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When asked what word she’d use to describe her ninth year on tour, 27-year-old Korda said “a grind.” She didn’t miss a cut in 19 starts and put together nine top 10s, including two runner-up finishes. Statistically, Korda’s game looked remarkably similar to last year with the exception of strokes gained around the green. Last year she ranked fourth, and this year she was 43rd.
“I feel like there was a lot of ups and downs and it made me grow a lot mentally, and I would say I’m just also very grateful for it because, you know, success is never linear,” said Korda, who dropped down to No. 2 in the world in August.
When asked exactly how she’d grown mentally, she said “expectations, listening to outside noises, really just sticking to what I know best, and that’s to keep everything simple.”
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Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand hugs Nelly Korda of the United States after her round on the 18th hole during the final round of the CME Group Tour Championship 2025 at Tiburon Golf Club on November 23, 2025 in Naples, Florida.
Every year, Korda said, she finds herself giving more, whether it’s practice, diligence or body work.
“If there is something new out there that could improve my body, if there is a device that can help me with my practice, I will be doing it,” she said. “I’m always looking and I have a great team doing the same for me and giving me great ideas.”
As for shots she wishes she could have back, Korda said the one that comes top of mind is her approach into the 18th at Erin Hills on Sunday at the 80th U.S. Women’s Open where she finished runner-up, her best showing to date at the championship. She got to within a stroke of the lead after she made the turn in 34. Korda finished two shots back of winner Maja Stark with a bogey on the closing par 5.
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“I actually hit that shot so good,” said Korda. “Probably hit that shot the best that I did all year, and just because of the adrenaline I hit it probably, I don’t know, 10 yards too long and a little bit too left; was in the place that at the beginning of the week on Monday I was like, I cannot be here, and I was there.
“So if I could get one shot back, that would be it.”
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Nelly Korda, winless in 2025, reveals the shot she’d like to have back
