“I’m having so much fun on the golf course,” she said, “but I think it came because my last year was really hard for me. I came off a year that I won seven times, and I think I’m just maturing and realizing that I need to really enjoy these moments. It’s not going to last forever.”

If there’s anyone who knows success doesn’t last forever, it’s Nelly Korda. Though 2026 has been a fruitful season for her, it comes after a somewhat difficult 2025. The context lies in what happened in 2024. She won seven times, with five of those wins coming back-to-back, but in 2025, she went winless in 20 events. Her stats were nearly identical to 2024. In fact, she had a better scoring average, better driving numbers, and a higher birdie percentage. It was the people closest to her, whom she calls her small, amazing circle, who helped her remain positive. And perhaps learning from all of it, she now sees things differently.

“So many legends have told me to smell the roses,” she said, “and this week I actually have the time to smell the roses.”

2025 also taught her many important things, and it is showing in how she is performing this season.

“One to not listen to the outside noise. Two, I think, is where a lot of people get into trouble, is that they have an incredible year, and they try to do something to get even better. They almost like to reinvent the wheel. And I think that’s where people get into trouble, where they lose their game.”

“The one thing that I took out of last year is like, control what you can control; don’t try to push too much. And I think I was just trying to control what I couldn’t control, and it was driving me nuts. And that was kind of the biggest mindset change going into this year, like, I’m just going to control what I can control.”

“I was literally living my best life,” she said, “but I had to remind myself on Tuesday, I’m here for work.”

As she enjoys her success, Nelly Korda is also all geared up for her packed LPGA schedule ahead.

What comes next for Nelly Korda?

Nelly Korda is not stopping to admire the view for long. After a week off, she returns on May 14 at the Kroger Queen City Championship in Cincinnati. Then the schedule gets more serious, as majors enter the picture.

The U.S. Women’s Open tees up in early June at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, followed by the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine National later that month. It sets up three majors in six weeks, a stretch that will further define her 2026 season.

She sits at 23 of the 27 points required for the LPGA Hall of Fame. The system awards one point per LPGA Tour win, Player of the Year title, and two points per major. At 27, she is close. One more major this season would take her to 25. A Player of the Year award would move her to 26.

It all makes 2026 a defining year for her!

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