In the 7 years of her career at the LPGA and her 25 years of life, Nelly Korda has only made two hole-in-ones. After 14 years of practice and grinding on the golf greens, the 1x major champion has finally made an ace and celebrated with her father as she recalls a story from the part.
During the third round of the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Nelly Korda delivered a spectacular moment by hitting a 9-iron on the par-3 eighth hole from 148 yards, resulting in her first-ever ace in professional competition. The crowd erupted in cheers as Korda celebrated the perfect shot with a high-five from her caddie. Remarkably, this wasn’t her first hole-in-one—it was her second, but it came 14 years after her first.
Nelly Korda’s first ace on the LPGA Tour resurfaced
Korda’s initial ace occurred when she was just 11 years old, playing a practice round with her father. Using a 7-iron, she vividly recalled watching the ball disappear into the hole, though the exact course has faded from her memory, remembered only as being somewhere in Orlando. Coincidentally, her second ace also happened in Florida, adding a poetic touch to the milestone.
Recalling the moment, Korda shared, “I was playing a practice round with my dad. I hit like a 7-iron and saw it disappear. A cart girl was coming around the corner, and my dad took a celebratory shot right away. I didn’t join him, but he sure did.”
Right before entering the 2024 CME Group Tour Championship with a lead on the standings, the video once again went viral all over the Internet. The LPGA Tour took to their official account and reshared the video. They even commented, “Never letting you forget this beautiful @NellyKorda ace #LPGALookback”.
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Nelly Korda has managed to win fifteen times on the LPGA Tour, but not once has she grabbed a win at the showdown. Her best finish was a T2 at the 2018 edition. But this year, she has entered in contention. Now the question is, will she be able to finally clinch the trophy at the Tiburón Golf Club? Stay tuned to find out.
