Golf star Nelly Korda experienced a frightening event in 2024 when she was bitten by a dog at a coffee shop in Seattle, days after a disappointing performance at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. The dog bite on her thigh forced the world No. 1 player to withdraw from the Ladies European Tour’s Aramco Team Series at London’s Centurion Club, a tournament she had won the previous year with a four-stroke lead. Despite the severity of the bite, Korda kept details of her injury private.

Additional LPGA Players Also Affected by Dog Attacks This Year

Korda’s incident is not isolated among professional female golfers. Earlier in 2024, European Solheim Cup captain Anna Nordqvist was bitten while walking on a beach in Thailand. Similarly, Alison Lee faced serious consequences after being bitten by her boyfriend’s rescue dog, a black Pomeranian named Bear, in January. Lee’s injuries were severe enough to require surgery due to infection, leading her to miss prominent tournaments such as the Aramco Saudi Ladies International and the Honda LPGA Thailand.

Unexpected Off-Course Risks Highlight Vulnerability of Athletes

These dog bite incidents emphasize the unpredictable hazards athletes encounter beyond competition. Even elite golfers like Korda, Nordqvist, and Lee, whose careers demand peak physical condition, can face sudden setbacks unrelated to the sport itself. The forced withdrawals and medical treatments serve as reminders of how quickly circumstances can change, affecting players’ performances and tournament participation.