How did Nelly Korda perform in Round 1 of the 2025 ShopRite LPGA Classic?

Nelly Korda opened her first round at the 2025 ShopRite LPGA Classic with an even-par 71. Playing in her ninth LPGA start of the season, Korda currently sits tied for 65th after Thursday’s opening round at the Bay Course in Galloway, New Jersey.

She began her round with a par, followed by a bogey on the par-4 second hole. Korda quickly recovered with a birdie on the third and added another birdie on the par-4 fifth. However, a bogey on the par-3 seventh saw her make the turn at 1-over 37. On the back nine, she made bogeys on the 10th and 13th but closed with birdies on the 15th and 18th to finish at even par.

This is Nelly Korda’s first appearance at the ShopRite LPGA Classic since 2020, when she finished solo fifth with a total score of 12-under-par.

So far this season, Korda has played eight events without a win. She began her year with a runner-up finish at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, where she finished 18-under-par. She followed that with a T7 at the Founders Cup (12-under-par) and a T22 finish at the Ford Championship (14-under-par).

At the T-Mobile Match Play, Korda tied for 28th after finishing 10-over-par. She then finished T16 at the JM Eagle LA Championship (14-under-par) and T14 at the Chevron Championship (2-under-par). At the Mizuho Americas Open, she finished T5 at 11-under-par. Most recently, Nelly Korda delivered one of her best performances of the season with a T2 finish at the U.S. Women’s Open, ending the major at 5-under-par.

Nelly Korda makes history by reaching 100 consecutive weeks at No. 1

Nelly Korda has reached a major milestone in her career, becoming just the sixth player in LPGA history to spend 100 weeks at World No. 1. According to the LPGA Tour, she is also the first American to hit the century mark in the rankings, joining an elite list that includes Jin Young Ko (163 weeks), Lorena Ochoa (158), Lydia Ko (125), Yani Tseng (109), and Inbee Park (106).

Korda first claimed the top spot in the summer of 2021 and is now on a streak of 63 consecutive weeks at No. 1. Korda’s rise to the top has been fueled by her incredible 2024 season, where she won seven tournaments and was named the Rolex Player of the Year. She also earned the 2024 Rolex Annika Major Award for her strong results across all five majors.

Nelly Korda has become one of the most dominant players on the LPGA Tour in recent years. She has 15 career titles, including two majors—the 2021 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the 2024 Chevron Championship. She also won a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.