Nelly Korda couldn't have imagined the incredible run she's put together this LPGA Tour season while at home recovering from a blood clot that required surgery in 2022.
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"Because obviously then I was just more scared for my health," she said. "Competing was kind of on the back seat. I was not thinking about competing at all. But I think all of the sad times and the health scares that I have gone through have made me who I am today."
Fully healthy now, Korda is seemingly unstoppable. The world's No.1 player hasn't lost a tournament since January, and now she's a two-time major champion.
Korda put her name in the tour record books on Sunday, winning her record-tying fifth straight tournament with a two-stroke victory in the Chevron Championship, secuing a second major title.
"It's been an amazing feeling these past couple weeks knowing that I can go on this stretch and that if I stay in my bubble and I keep golf in a sense simple and let it flow, then I can have so, so much fun out here," she said.
Her parents - former Australian Open tennis champion Petr Korda and Regina Rajchrtova - beamed as she was presented with the trophy.
"She had a difficult '22 and '23 in certain ways," Petr Korda said.
"She did not win a tournament in '23 and some things probably made her humble and (she) put a lot of work into where she is right now.
"Without the work and commitment, she would not be here. So seeing that, I'm very happy."
Korda joins Nancy Lopez (1978) and Annika Sorenstam (2004-05) as the only players to win five consecutive LPGA events.
Korda confirmed she'll be competing in the JM Eagle LA Championship next week in Los Angeles and was asked about possibly breaking the record there.
"I'm going to enjoy this right now and then I'll think about that," she said. "But yeah, it's been an amazing time. Hopefully keep the streak alive. But I've been so grateful to compete week in and week out and get the five in a row, too."
Fellow world No.1 Scottie Scheffler is on a similar tear, with the Masters champion on his way to a fourth victory in five starts until rain interrupted the final round of the RBC Heritage. He couldn't help but check in on Korda.
"I actually was checking the scores this afternoon when we were in the rain delay," Scheffler said. "I'm extremely happy for her and proud of her. That's some pretty special stuff. It's been a treat to watch."
Australian Associated Press
