"Trying to work through it" – Nelly Korda clears the air on injury scare before KPMG Women’s PGA Championship

The long-awaited KPMG Women’s Women’s PGA Championship is here, and World No. 1 golfer Nelly Korda is getting ready for the event. Ahead of the tournament, she shared she had a slight injury in her neck but is working through it and will be ready to play by Thursday.

Korda won the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in 2021, marking her first major championship victory. She won the tournament with a 19-under 269 score, beating Lizette Salas by three strokes. In 2024, she clinched her second major championship title at her Chevron Championship after scoring 13-under 275.

The Bradenton-born golfer is now gearing up to attempt to claim a third major title at Fields Ranch East, Frisco, Texas. During a press conference ahead of the tournament, she was spotted with some kinesiology tape on her neck. When asked if it was from the injury she suffered last year, she said she had hit a shot out of the rough during her practice round the previous day. This caused her neck to go into full spasms.

“It’s getting better, but yeah, it was not very good yesterday. Obviously, with the injury that I had last year, every single time something kind of flares up in my neck now. I think I feel it a little bit more than what I used to. But I have a great physio who takes care of me. Trying to work through it, but I’ll be ready by Thursday.”

Nelly Korda revealed that as a result of the neck spasms, she had to miss the KPMG Women’s PGA Champions dinner. The 15-time LPGA Tour winner admitted that she was sad to miss it because “the menu looked unbelievable,” but also noted that she has to prioritize her health and body.

The KPMG Women’s PGA Champions dinner was hosted by the reigning champion, Amy Yang. She won the tournament last year with a 7-under 281 score, finishing three strokes ahead of the runner-up. Meanwhile, Korda also competed in the event, but finished the first two rounds with a score of 6-over 150 and subsequently missed the cut.

Nelly Korda shares what fuels her love for golf

During the previously mentioned press conference ahead of the 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, Nelly Korda was asked to share about how she stays motivated even after achieving so much. She said,

“I think it’s just by loving the game, by inspiring the next generation, seeing all the little girls. Today, I had a girl come up to me, and she gave me another Lego set. It was so cute… interactions like that fuel my love for the game.”

Nelly Korda added that getting to compete against the best players in the world also helps to keep her motivated. She also stated that she constantly reminds herself about her immense passion for the game, which further contributes to her drive.

About the author

Sarah Rishama Madaki is a dedicated Golf Writer at Sportskeeda with a passion for bringing fresh perspectives to the world of sports journalism. With five years of professional experience as a content writer and strategist, she has worked with global brands across diverse industries, including stints at Soot Africa, TWU, Ink Different Hub, and Attrock.

A devoted fan of golf, Sarah stays updated on the sport through platforms like ESPN, SS Golf, and esteemed publications such as Golf Digest and Golf.com. She combines her knowledge of the game with an ability to understand audience preferences, crafting stories that resonate deeply with readers.

Sarah credits Tiger Woods as her inspiration for entering the world of golf. His resilience, innovative contributions to the game, and achievements motivate her to push boundaries in her career.

Beyond golf, Sarah is an avid NFL enthusiast cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs, a fiction novel lover, and a budding gardener. She aspires to one day cover historic events like The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, bringing fans closer to the heart of the action.

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Edited by Pratham K Sharma