NORTH CAROLINA — Nelly Korda ranks No 1 in the world despite being without a win on the LPGA Tour halfway through the season but insists there’s no added pressure for a breakthrough at the Women’s US Open at Erin Hills Golf Club in Wisconsin.
“I don’t try and think about it,” said Korda, who had seven wins in 16 events and claimed a major championship at the Chevron Championship in 2024.
“Definitely when you’re a higher-ranked player or you’re more popular there is more pressure on you just from outside perspective when it comes to media, fans coming out to watch you play,” Korda added according to Reuters.
“If you want to feel it, you will feel it, but I think what’s really important is just kind of sticking to your game plan and being really focused on what you’re doing present time, and that’s really helped me.”
Korda was propelled to the Rolex Player of the Year honour by a streak of five wins in a row in 2024.
She is chasing her first Women’s US Open title on the heels of her second top-5 finish this season at the Mizuho Americas Open.
As the world rankings underscore, Korda’s results can hardly be classified as struggling.She’s finished no worse than 22nd with three top-10 finishes in six events.
She said the season to date has been “interesting” but insisted she feels grateful and embraces the position this week at an event known for trying patience.
“It’s big,” said Korda, 26, who is staying 20 minutes from the course at a rented lake house with her parents.
“Some weeks it’s so much easier to be patient than others. It just depends on kind of the mindset and how you’re feeling mentally. But it plays a really big role. Sometimes you can get ahead of yourself, and as I’ve said in the past, staying in the moment is really, really important for me.”
Contrast the present to her surging 2024 momentum metre entering the US Women’s Open – she missed the cut at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania with a season-worst opening round of 80 – and Korda is comfortable with her real-time game.
At Erin Hills, there are challenges ahead on a course known for whipping wind and tight, challenging traps.
And Korda hasn’t posted many memorable rounds in the event of late.
Two of her past three US Women’s Open rounds resulted in scores of 80.
She wrapped the 2023 event at Pebble Beach by going 8-over on her final 18 and finished tied for 64th.
“I think the more you’re put in under-pressure moments and the more you’re in contention, you learn more about yourself and how to handle those situations,” Korda said.
