Nelly Korda is back and ready to start the 2025 LPGA Tour season. Here's what she got up to during her very brief off season and she shares how she is feeling to get back to tournament golf
Nelly Korda is back. The World Number One golfer is set to begin her 2025 season at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, eager to build on a career-defining 2024. Speaking at the event, Korda shared reflections on her off-season, her goals for the year, and her love for starting the season so close to home in Florida.
“It’s one of my favorite events of the year,” Korda said about the unique format, which pairs professional golfers with celebrities and athletes. “It’s a fun and relaxed way to kick off the year, especially being so close to home.”
A whirlwind 2024 and lessons learned
Korda’s 2024 season was nothing short of spectacular. With seven tournament victories, including a Major, she solidified her place as one of the sport’s brightest stars. However, the grind of a long season taught her valuable lessons about balance, self-confidence, and the importance of her support system.
"It was a year of definitely learning. I learned more about myself. I put myself in uncomfortable positions but I saw a lot of growth in that.
"It was also a year where I appreciated the people around me, the people that were very close to me a lot more, my core people and people I can lean on through the ups and downs.
"Last year was definitely a very, very, very crazy year, but I'm also very grateful for the ups and downs because I think I learned a lot more about myself.
Her biggest personal takeaway? “I’ve grown more confident in who I am. I’ve learned not to conform to what others want me to be but to stay true to myself.”
Off-season reset
Although her off-season was brief, just seven days, Korda managed to recharge by spending time with her family and cooking in her own kitchen. A highlight? Dog sledding during a quick getaway to the mountains.
“It was an amazing experience but definitely a one-and-done situation,” Korda laughed. “The time at home with family really helped reenergize me.”
In terms of golf, Korda worked on dialling in her driver, including testing a new TaylorMade Qi35 model she’ll debut this week. Beyond that, she emphasised maintaining her health after an injury at the end of 2024.
“My number one goal this year is to stay healthy,” she said. “If my body’s not feeling 100%, I won’t push it.”
A Strategic Approach to 2025
Korda’s schedule for 2025 reflects her thoughtful approach to balancing performance and wellness. Starting with back-to-back events in Florida, she’ll skip the LPGA’s Asia swing to focus on preparing for the season’s majors.
“You want to be primed for the majors,” Korda noted. “It’s all about finding the right flow in the schedule while making sure your body stays in top shape.”
She also emphasized the need for the LPGA to focus on more cohesive scheduling and increasing visibility. “It’s about aligning events better to reduce travel and putting us on primetime TV so more people see the amazing product we offer,” she said.
Enjoying the moment
Beyond her competitive ambitions, Korda expressed excitement about the relaxed vibe of the Tournament of Champions. She’s looking forward to reconnecting with friends like former MLB stars Derek Lowe and Kevin Millar, as well as meeting actor George Lopez, whose comedy she enjoyed growing up.
“I love this event because of the friendships you build,” Korda said. “It’s such a unique atmosphere, and there’s no better way to start the year.”
As she embarks on 2025, Korda is focused on staying grounded, prepared, and positive. “Golf is unpredictable. You have to take it one shot at a time, enjoy the process, and not let added pressure take away from the fun,” she said.
Find out more about the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions that starts this Thursday on the LPGA website here.