The PGA Tour may have a strong field for their sixth of eight signature events, the Wells Fargo Championship, but historically speaking, the most significant story in golf this week is Nelly Korda’s pursuit of the LPGA Tour’s record for most consecutive wins. She has won her last five starts, tying her with Annika Sorenstam and Nancy Lopez for most all-time. Korda tees it up at the Cognizant Founders Cup in New Jersey on Thursday.
Korda’s Recent Run
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Korda captured her second major championship and fifth tournament in a row two weeks ago at The Chevron Championship. She took the two previous weeks off to prepare. That is understandable when you consider she had run off three wins in three straight weeks before that hiatus. From mid-March through early April, Korda won in consecutive weeks. She won the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship, Ford Championship, and T-Mobile Match Play, respectively.
Korda’s first win in this run dates back to the LPGA Drive On Championship, which was January 25-28. She took nearly two months off after that. It was not injury-related.
Will Korda be able to rewrite the history books this week?
Korda’s New Perspective
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Korda’s seven-week hiatus from golf seemed to spark the emergence of a more even mental game in her. Perspective, patience, and balance were significant motivators in taking time for herself. And now, they’re developing into her calling card. Korda commented on the shift in her Wednesday press conference ahead of ‘Cognizant:’
“Obviously, when I’m home, I’m definitely practicing a lot more and trying to work on technique,” Korda said. “When I’m out here, the way I keep it simple is by not overdoing it too much: going out, seeing the golf course, doing my work with my caddie, picking a game plan, and then that’s it.
“I think I’ve got, in the past, too caught up in coming out here and thinking I need to do a little extra when I’ve already done my work going into this event, and it’s time to just see my shots and execute them. That’s how I’ve tried to simplify it.”
Korda Attends Met Gala Days Ahead of Shot At History
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Korda will arrive at the 2024 Cognizant Founders Cup on Thursday fresh off a Monday appearance at the Met Gala. She described it as the fulfillment of a dream. Nelly is the first golfer since Tiger Woods in 2013 to attend the famous fashion event in Manhattan. A win Sunday would not only make history, but probably make her one of, if not the only attendee of the iconic event to do something more significant in the same week.
Lopez, a rookie when she won five straight, relates better than anyone to Korda’s rare situation:
“I had gone to Hershey, Pennsylvania to try to win my sixth in a row,” Lopez recalled. “I happened to do the cover for Sports Illustrated that same week. So that was one more thing on my plate that I probably could have done without because I was exhausted.”
Lopez lost by ten to the eventual winner, 31-time LPGA Tour winner, Pat Bradley. Sorenstam attempted six straight back in 2005. She finished T12 at the Michelob Ultra Open. She then won three of her next four tournaments.
About The Author
Colton is a Hollywood screenwriter turned sports columnist. Originally from the suburbs of Detroit, he is a Michigan State University grad who spent fifteen years in Los Angeles after receiving a Bachelor’s in Journalism from MSU. An award-winning filmmaker with multiple projects still in development, Colton is currently co-authoring a biography, “The Boy from the Bronx,” with renowned businessman, Michael Weisser.
Eric is a recent and welcome addition to Total Apex Sports. He’s a highly knowledgeable and respected voice in the sports community, both in Michigan and nationally. Eric Colton resides in New York City with his wife and two daughters.
