On April 29, Nelly Korda faced the loss of her cherished cat, Rafi. Though the cause of Rafi’s passing was not shared publicly, the World No. 1 golfer expressed her grief through a touching tribute on Instagram. Several months after this personal tragedy, PGA Tour player Zachary Blair reached out to Korda with a sympathetic gesture, sending her a customized golf glove featuring her late pet’s name.
Korda shared the gift on her official Instagram account, expressing surprise and gratitude with the words, “WHATTTTTTT!!! Thank you.” Along with the gloves, Blair included a letter that said:
“We are deeply sorry to hear about the passing away of your beloved Rafi. Pets leave such a lasting impact on our hearts, and we know how much Rafi meant to you.”
This thoughtful gift served as a symbol of remembrance for her faithful companion. In addition, Korda posted a series of emotional Instagram stories reflecting on the 15 years of memories she shared with Rafi, highlighting their close relationship.
Challenges Surrounding Rafi’s Passing and Korda’s Performance
Rafi’s death occurred during a difficult period for Korda, who had recently competed at the Chevron Championship. Entering as the defending champion, Korda finished tied for 14th place at 2-under par, a result below her usual standards. The emotional strain of losing a longtime pet coincided with this underwhelming tournament outcome.
Korda Pauses LPGA Season to Recharge After Busy Start to 2025
Nelly Korda has temporarily stepped away from the LPGA Tour to rest and regain focus amid a demanding 2025 schedule. Her season began strongly with a runner-up finish at the Tournament of Champions and a top-10 placement at the Founders Cup. At the Chevron Championship, she narrowly missed a playoff after finishing tied for 14th, falling five shots short.
One of Korda’s most notable performances this year came at the U.S. Women’s Open held at Erin Hills, where she led through three rounds and finished tied for second at 5-under-par. She was ultimately edged out by Maja Stark, but her driving ability impressed, topping the field in Strokes Gained: Driving. A costly three-putt bogey on the 13th hole proved decisive, despite an overall strong showing that earned her more than $1 million in prize money.
Soon after, Korda competed at the Women’s PGA Championship in Frisco. Despite suffering from a neck spasm during practice and battling the intense Texas heat, she completed all four rounds, finishing tied for 19th. She revealed afterward that the discomfort and weather conditions affected her performance throughout the event.
Reflecting on Support and What Lies Ahead for Korda
The thoughtful consolation from Zachary Blair underscores the close-knit community within professional golf, offering emotional support during personal hardships. Nelly Korda’s ability to continue competing at a high level despite such challenges highlights her resilience as the World No. 1. Moving forward, her break from the tour may provide the necessary time to heal both physically and emotionally, setting the stage for a strong return in future tournaments.