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Nelly Korda reclaiming the No. 1 ranking in women’s golf provides a much-needed boost of star power to the LPGA, particularly on the tour’s American homefront.
Korda, who was last ranked No. 1 in August, took back the top spot from Thai golfer Jeeno Thitikul after her third career major victory Sunday at the Chevron Championship. The $1.35 million winner’s check increases Korda’s career LPGA earnings to $18.6 million.
In five events this season, Korda has won twice and finished second in the other three tournaments. The hot start is reminiscent of Korda’s trailblazing 2024 season that included a five-tournament win streak that captured national attention, which the LPGA rarely gets.
Korda ended 2024 with seven total victories and a clear role as the face of women’s golf. Then, she went winless in 2025.
But her star power was more evident than ever Sunday afternoon, as perhaps the most famous American sports figure took to social media to root her on. “3 holes left to play,” LeBron James posted on X/Twitter. “Bring it on home Nelly!”
James has been bitten by the golf bug in recent months—including his YouTube Golf debut—and is one of many professional sports stars who have taken a new interest in golf.
“It’s so cool to see how many athletes love the game of golf, how many different people it brings together,” Korda said Sunday during her winner’s press conference. “… And what’s amazing to me is they’re interested in women’s golf. They’re hyping us up, and they’re putting us on their socials, they’re watching, and they’re supporting.”
Korda, 27, will be among the favorites—and the clear top draw—for the remaining four majors of the 2026 LPGA season: the U.S. Women’s Open, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, Amundi Evian Championship, and AIG Women’s Open.
She is also now more than 80% of the way toward automatically qualifying for the LPGA Hall of Fame, which uses a points-based system; Korda has 22 of the 27 required points.
The LPGA is still less than one year into the tenure of commissioner Craig Kessler, who was hired last May. Kessler has prioritized better broadcast coverage for the tour and led the charge to launch the WTGL indoor golf league, modeled after the men’s competition cofounded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
Korda, however, is not committed to playing in WTGL and has criticized the league’s format, which won’t initially allow women’s golfers to compete alongside the men.
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