Nelly Korda

Nelly Korda is a leading figure in women's golf, recognized as a three-time major champion and Olympic gold medalist on the LPGA Tour. Korda turned professional and secured her first professional tournament win at the Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge before joining the LPGA Tour and claiming her first LPGA event at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship. She achieved four victories in a single season, including her first major at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, reached the World No. 1 ranking, and won the Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Korda became the second female golfer from the United States to win Olympic gold, following Margaret Abbott.

Korda's career has included overcoming significant challenges. Her season was interrupted by a blood clot diagnosis in her left arm, requiring surgery. Reflecting on the experience, Korda said, "I think when it's kind of taken away from you, you kind of sit back and you realize how amazing of a sport it is." She returned to competition and became the third woman in LPGA Tour history to win five consecutive events, including her second major at the Chevron Championship, and finished the season with seven wins in 16 starts. Korda joined Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam as the only women in LPGA history to win five consecutive events and became the first golfer, male or female, to achieve five consecutive wins since Tiger Woods.

Korda clinched the LPGA Tour Player of the Year Award with three tournaments remaining after securing seven victories and three additional top-10 finishes. She became the first player to win seven LPGA Tour events in a single year since Yani Tseng and also won the Rolex Annika Major Award. Korda has spent over 100 weeks as number one in the Women's World Golf Rankings and has finished as year-end number one multiple times. She claimed victory at the Chevron Championship, earning additional points toward the LPGA Hall of Fame and moving within five points of automatic qualification.

Outside of competition, Korda has made an impact on golf culture. She became the first LPGA golfer and first golfer since Tiger Woods to attend the Met Gala. Korda also appeared as a doctor in the sports comedy film "Happy Gilmore 2." She was named by Sportico as one of the highest-earning female athletes in the world, with earnings of $14.4 million from prize money and endorsements. The American Junior Golf Association named a junior tournament after her, the Nelly Invitational, held at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida, highlighting her influence on the next generation of golfers. Korda's achievements, resilience, and presence have established her as a prominent figure in professional golf and sports culture.