Lydia Ko and Nelly Korda: A Rivalry Dispelled and a Hall of Fame Journey Unveiled
The winds of rivalry are stirring in the world of women’s golf, as Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko, two of the sport’s most decorated players, continue to make headlines. A controversy sparked by Korda’s victory at the 2024 LPGA Drive On Championship in Bradenton, Florida, which inadvertently robbed Ko of her Hall of Fame honor, has been making waves.
Ko, who hails from New Zealand, was on the precipice of being inducted into the Hall of Fame, but her dreams were thwarted by Korda, the Bradenton native and eight-time LPGA Tour champion. Korda outclassed Ko in the playoffs of the Championship, thus costing the New Zealander her much-deserved accolade.
In the aftermath, Korda expressed her regret at the Founders Cup press conference a year later, stating, “I did send her a message after the playoff though. We’ve been friends for a long time. She’s always someone that I enjoy talking to and playing with. There is no bad blood, I hope. On my side, there is not, but I don’t know about hers.” This statement left many pondering whether Ko harbored any resentment towards Korda.
However, the narrative took a different turn at the 2025 HSBC Women’s World Championship press conference. Ko’s focus seemed to have shifted from personal accolades to the broader growth of women’s sports. She lauded the achievements of athletes like Korda and Caitlin Clark, acknowledging the rising tide of women’s sports, including the LPGA.
Ko also credited the sponsors for playing a pivotal role in propelling LPGA stars into the limelight. She emphasized the need to seize this momentum, possibly hinting at the LPGA’s competition with other, more popular golf leagues. Ko sees the increase in compensations for a “missed cut” as an opportunity to manage expenses and grow the league.
A year on from the 2024 Drive On Championship incident, it appears that Ko has not only forgiven Korda but has also moved beyond personal grudges to focus on the larger picture of women’s sports. But did she eventually secure her place in the Hall of Fame?
Despite the setback at the 2024 Championship, Ko’s pursuit of LPGA greatness was far from over. She later secured a gold medal for her country in the Paris Olympics and was subsequently inducted into the Hall of Fame, becoming the youngest golfer to earn this honor. Speaking of the achievement, Ko said, “I didn’t grow up thinking that I would become a Hall of Famer; I felt like that was out of my league.”
Through her perseverance and determination, Ko has indeed carved her name in the annals of LPGA history. As for the Korda-Ko equation, it seems to be one of mutual respect and professional rivalry, rather than personal animosity. Both athletes continue to inspire and champion the cause of women’s sports, underlining the essence of true sportsmanship.
