As the 2025 AIG Women’s Open approaches at Royal Porthcawl, the women’s golf world is abuzz with excitement. Among the top contenders is Lydia Ko, returning to defend her title after recent setbacks at the Evian and Dow Championships. Ko’s candid reflections on Nelly Korda’s remarkable dominance in women’s golf, shared during a recent podcast appearance, provide valuable insight into the growing competitiveness and evolving demands of the sport.
Highlighting the Achievements of Two Golfing Champions
Lydia Ko’s 2024 season was a remarkable return to peak form, marked by a historic gold medal at the Paris Olympics—making her the only golfer to have won gold, silver, and bronze across Olympic Games. In addition, her commanding victory at the 2024 AIG Women’s Open at St. Andrews earned her a place in the LPGA Hall of Fame as its youngest inductee. Despite these achievements, Ko’s outlook remains humble, especially when recognizing the extraordinary season of Nelly Korda.
Ko reflected on the evolution of the sport since she turned professional in 2013, noting the incredible depth and talent emerging in women’s golf.
“I feel like this is the third generation that I’ve been in,”
Ko said, highlighting how the game has seen significant changes through the years. She praised Korda’s 2024 season as “unreal,” emphasizing the difficulty of winning given the rising level of competition.
“And just to see how much the game has grown, how much, you know, how difficult it is to actually win. And that’s why the year that Nelly had, I mean, I had an amazing year, but the year that Nelly had last year, that was just unreal,”
she added.
Nelly Korda’s 2024 campaign was spectacular, featuring seven LPGA victories, including five consecutive wins, a major title at The Chevron Championship, and earning the Player of the Year award. This dominant run placed Korda among the most memorable figures in recent golf history. Meanwhile, Ko herself secured three wins in 2024, including a major and earned entry into the Hall of Fame, proving her own lasting impact on the sport. Ko’s appreciative remarks about Korda reinforce a shared respect among top players and highlight the intense competitiveness characterizing modern women’s golf.
Insight Into What It Takes to Maintain Excellence in Women’s Golf
Ko’s praise for Korda underscored a broader truth about the current landscape of women’s professional golf. For players today, being talented is not enough to stay at the top—relentlessness and adaptability are essential.
“It keeps us on our toes, and that’s why I’m still out here practicing,”
Ko explained, reflecting a mindset focused on consistent improvement amid fierce competition. Her ability to compete successfully across different eras of the sport signals resilience and a commitment to evolving her game.
The margins in women’s golf have become incredibly slim, with increasingly skilled newcomers challenging veterans regularly, raising the level of every tournament. Ko acknowledged the physical and mental demands this puts on players, emphasizing the ongoing effort required to remain competitive. Beyond competition, she also highlighted the unique longevity golf offers as a sport.
“But yeah, it’s such a it’s an amazing sport. You can really do this for as long as you want, as long as you’re healthy.”
Despite rumors about her potential retirement, Ko remains uncertain about how long her professional career will last but affirmed her deep connection to golf.
“I don’t honestly don’t know how long I’m going to be around for, but I think it’s it’s something that’s always going to be a big part of me,”
she said, illustrating her enduring passion for the game and its central role in her life. This perspective highlights Ko’s maturity and love for golf beyond just competitive success.
Setting the Scene for a Fierce Battle at Royal Porthcawl
As Lydia Ko heads to Royal Porthcawl for the 2025 AIG Women’s Open, the stage is set for a thrilling contest between established stars and rising challengers. Ko’s respect for Nelly Korda’s dominance does not diminish her own ambitions; instead, it intensifies the narrative of a sport reaching new heights of competition and skill. Fans will watch closely to see if Ko’s humility, experience, and passion can match or surpass Korda’s impressive recent performances.
This duel symbolizes more than individual accolades—it reflects the dynamic evolution of women’s golf, where the bar is continually being raised. Ko’s reflections on the sport’s growth and the toughness required to win offer a hopeful and determined vision for the future, one where every champion motivates the next generation to push the boundaries even further.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Nelly Korda have surgery?
A. She recently had surgery to remove a blood clot in her subclavian vein. She was glad the operation went well, and the doctors are satisfied with the results. Now, she is at home, resting and getting ready for rehabilitation. She is eager to recover fully so that she can start practicing again.
Q. Is Nelly Korda rich?
A. According to Sportico.com, Korda ranks eighth among the highest-earning women athletes worldwide. Her total earnings are about $14.4 million. She made $4.4 million from winning competitions, and the rest came from endorsement deals.