Nelly Korda’s historic year continues to roll on. The No. 1 female golfer in the world locked up the LPGA’s Player of the Year award, despite three events remaining on the 2024 schedule.
The Rolex Player of the Year award is based on a player’s top-10 finishes, with each position earning a designated number of points. Points are doubled at the five majors. Korda’s lead in the race was so significant that she earned the title three weeks before the conclusion of the season. Only Ayaka Furue could have matched Korda’s lead, but to do so, she needed to win each of the four remaining events on the LPGA schedule. Furue finished T10 at the Toto Japan Classic on Sunday, knocking her out of contention for Player of the Year.
“Winning the Rolex Player of the Year means so much to me,” Korda said. “This season has had its highs and challenges, and I’m just really grateful for the people around me who have helped me get here. It’s been a team effort, and I’m proud to share this moment with them.”
Introducing your 2024 @ROLEX Player of the Year, @NellyKorda! 🏆
Congratulations, Nelly! 👏 pic.twitter.com/03YSoYlJGG
— LPGA (@LPGA) November 4, 2024
The 25-year-old put together a stunning record on tour this season with six victories and three additional top-10 wins. Five of her wins came in consecutive weeks, and that run included a major championship victory at the Chevron Championship. Her sixth win of the season came at the Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National, where she became the fourth player in LPGA history to win six times before June 1. The victory was her 14th professional title on tour.
With the Player of the Year award, Korda earns another Hall of Fame point. She currently has 18 points, and players need 27 to achieve a Hall of Fame induction. With Lilia Vu taking home the 2023 Player of the Year honors, Korda becomes the second consecutive American to win the award. The award hasn’t seen back-to-back American winners since Betsy King and Beth Daniel won in 1993 and 1994, respectively.
Korda also secured another LPGA honor earlier this season: the 2024 Rolex Annika Major Award for the most outstanding major record of the LPGA season. Korda’s major season included both a victory and a T2 finish at the AIG Women’s Open at St. Andrews. She’ll accept both honors at the CME Group Tour Championship on Nov. 20.
The Olympic gold medalist has been ranked No. 1 in the world since she regained the position after her second victory of the 2024 season. Her most recent tournament appearance came at the Kroger Queen City Championship, where she finished T5.
On Oct. 15 she withdrew from the LPGA’s Korea and Malaysia events due to a neck injury, which she described as minor. Korda recently was cleared by doctors to begin practicing again.
Next, she’s set to tee it up at The Annika at Pelican Golf Club, beginning on No. 14. Korda will play nine holes of her Wednesday pro-am alongside WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark.
(Photo: Brian Spurlock / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
