World No 1 Nelly Korda feels she has had “nine lives” in 2024 after a 12 months together with 5 consecutive victories, three successive missed cuts and painful migraines.
Korda was in flawless kind over the primary 4 months of the season with a five-event profitable streak culminating within the American claiming a second main of her carer on the Chevron Championship in April, earlier than she earned a sixth success in seven begins on the Mizuho Americas Open in Could.
Nonetheless, the 26-year-old then did not make the weekend of the following two majors, with an 80 on the US Girls’s Open together with a septuple-bogey seven on the par-three twelfth, after which an 81 on the KPMG Girls’s PGA Championship.
Korda has not performed since September on account of a neck damage and revealed forward of her return occasion – The ANNIKA in her native Florida, dwell on Sky Sports activities from Thursday – that she suffered from migraines throughout Staff USA’s Solheim Cup victory over Europe in Virginia in addition to the week after.
The Rolex Participant of the Yr instructed reporters on Wednesday, after taking part in alongside basketball star Caitlin Clark within the pro-am: “The one time it was not hurting was sleep and being in a darkish room and I believe it led to my [neck] damage.
“In a way, possibly I’ve rushed my rehab to get to those two occasions [The ANNIKA and next week’s CME Tour Group Championship] as they have been vital to me – in entrance of a little bit of a house crowd right here and I undoubtedly wish to be prepared for Naples.
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Take a look at a few of Korda’s highlights from 2024 as she achieved a record-equalling 5 LPGA Tour victories in a row
Korda: I’ve needed to take time for myself
“It looks like I’ve lived 9 lives [since winning the LPGA Drive On Championship in January].
“You are put a little bit more under a microscope as an athlete when you have bad days, especially when you are a top-ranked player.
“So [it’s about] realizing it is okay to have unhealthy days and not likely take a look at all of the criticism, to imagine in your skills and arduous work. Not being afraid to make errors. I am human.
“[I’ve also learnt] to enjoy life a little bit more. It goes in a blur.
“My job is the love of my life – I like golf a lot, love being out right here and provoking the following technology.
“But after all that has gone on this year it is good to take a step away sometimes, take a bit more time for yourself and disconnect.”
Caitlin Clark and Korda pose at The ANNIKA Professional-Am on Wednesday
‘It felt like two mates hanging out’ – Korda on Caitlin Clark
On taking part in alongside Clark, who lit up school basketball earlier than signing for Indiana Fever within the WNBA, Korda added: “It was amazing, she is so sweet, so nice.
“We messaged just a little on Instagram beforehand however to see the affect she has on individuals and the way wonderful an affect she is for sports activities was actually cool to see first-hand.
“[The best part] was simply chatting about life, asking her questions, her asking me. It felt like two mates hanging out. It was nice to see how relaxed she is.
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“With the media attention she has got over in the last two years, you can see how comfortable she is playing in front of a larger crowd. She was just really enjoying it. She is definitely really talented.
“She was choosing the ball up actually clear – she was dropping a few pictures to the correct however with the obligations she has she most likely will get to the golf course as soon as per week so she performed very well.
“I love that she has a love for golf. I have never really tuned into basketball before her so it’s growing interest in women’s sports. I hope that’s what grows from this relationship.”
Watch The ANNIKA dwell on Sky Sports activities from Thursday via to Sunday. Protection of day begins at 3pm on Sky Sports activities Golf and Sky Sports activities Foremost Occasion.
