Rolex Rankings No. 1 Nelly Korda Lurking at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican

There’s just something about Pelican Golf Club for Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings No. 1 Nelly Korda.

The 14-time LPGA Tour winner has captured two titles at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, earning her first victory in Belleair, Fla., at the 2021 edition of the event and then successfully defending her title in 2022, ultimately finishing in a tie for 25th in 2023. In those previous three appearances, Korda has only recorded one round in the 70s and is a collective 39-under par, posting a tournament-best, 7-under 63 in the third round of the 2021 ANNIKA.

And now, in 2024, Korda is 8-under through two rounds and sitting just two shots off the 36-hole lead held by two-time LPGA Tour winner Charley Hull after carding back-to-back 66s and will once again be vying for The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican trophy over the weekend at Pelican Golf Club.

“I’m just comfortable. I think playing in front of my family, too, so close to home, that is also a reason why I feel comfortable out (at Pelican Golf Club),” said Korda. “The more you play it, the more you realize the subtle breaks on the greens, so you kind of learn time after time. But, even with it being windy, tough conditions, I just know the holes where you have to be safe and the holes where you can be a little bit more aggressive.”

The 2024 LPGA Tour season has been historic for Korda, as the 26-year-old won six times in seven starts on Tour from January to May, with five of those titles coming consecutively at the LPGA Drive On Championship, the FIR HILLS SERI PAK Championship, the Ford Championship presented by KCC, the T-Mobile Match Play presented by MGM Rewards and The Chevron Championship, the last of which was Korda’s second career major victory.

At the moment, Korda is the first player since Inbee Park in 2013 to collect six wins in a single season, and a seventh 2024 victory on Sunday at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican would make her the first player since Yani Tseng in 2011 to win seven times in a calendar year. Not to mention, Korda just clinched her first Rolex Player of the Year award after the TOTO Japan Classic, earning 244 total points, 100 more than her next closest chaser, Lydia Ko.

But Korda is quick to remind people that it hasn’t always been easy this season, even though it might have looked that way at times, sharing ahead of this week at The ANNIKA that she had to lean on those around her at various points throughout the year when things started to get challenging and that she has grown a lot over the course of what has been a whirlwind 12 months, both on and off the golf course.

“January and the win in Bradenton, it feels like I’ve lived nine lives since then,” said Korda on Wednesday during her pre-tournament press conference when asked about her 2024 growth. “I would say I learned to lean more on my team. I’m very grateful for my team through the hard times. They’re people you can never replace, and I hope they know how grateful I am to have them in my corner. Also, to enjoy life a little bit more. It goes by in a blur. My job, in a sense, is kind of the love of my life. I love golf so much. I love being out here. I love inspiring the next generation. With everything that has gone on this year, I’ve taken some time to reflect that it is good to take a step away sometimes and take a little bit more time for yourself.

“Not being afraid to make mistakes. I think I’m human. As an individual and athlete, you’re put a little bit more under a microscope when you have bad days, especially if you’re a top-ranked player. So, knowing that I’m going to have bad days and it’s okay and not to really look at all the criticism. Just believe in your talents and hard work.”

Korda seems to be playing with plenty of self-belief through two rounds at Pelican Golf Club, confidence that has again propelled the American superstar to the top of yet another leaderboard this year. With 36 holes left to play, Korda knows that there is still plenty of time to chase down Hull over the weekend in the penultimate event of the regular season, as no deficit has seemed large enough to keep her out of the conversation this year.

And even though she is chasing, Korda is looking forward to continuing her pursuit of her seventh win this season alongside the Englishwoman on Moving Day in Belleair, Fla., what is sure to be a spectacular day-three grouping that will rivet fans at The ANNIKA.

“I always enjoy playing with Charley,” said Korda of her third-round groupmate. “She’s always a fun time. Hopefully, we give a good show.”