WHAT:
Pure Silk Championship
WHEN:
May 20–26
WHERE:
Kingsmill Resort River Course
WEBSITE:
kingsmill.com/lpga-championship
Nelly tied for 31st at
Kingsmill as a rookie in 2017
and missed the tournament’s
36-hole cut last year.
20
V I R G I N I A G O L F E R | M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 9
always knew I was there for her, no mat-
2016, where she recorded seven top-10
ter what, and I still am today. She simply
finishes with one win and finished ninth
needs to continue doing her own thing.”
on the tour’s season money list to earn
Nelly hopes she can continue improv-
automatic 2017 LPGA Tour membership.
ing on past results at Kingsmill Resort,
As a rookie in 2017, she posted five
where she tied for 31st as a rookie in 2017,
top-10s in 23 events, with a season-best
and missed the tournament’s 36-hole cut
tie for fifth in Malaysia. Last year, she
last year. With a ramped-up confidence
recorded seven top-10s with two run-
and rocketing results in 2019, she’s hop-
ner-up finishes and earned her first win in
ing for a solid week in Williamsburg on a
Taiwan. Her second career win once again
course she enjoys.
came overseas.
“I think Kingsmill is a good track
“I have no idea why I play so well
and it always plays really
[abroad],” she said. “I would
tough,” she said. “And while
love to get a win on home
I don’t usually go out and
soil, but I’ll take any win
“She always knew
walk around more than
because it’s really hard
I was there for her,
I already walk during
to win out here.”
a tournament week,
Nelly has also
no matter what, and
there’s always a lot to
sought advice from
I still am today. She
do with Busch Gar-
her older sister from
simply needs to con-
dens right there.”
the time she began
Of course, there’s
swinging a club for
tinue doing her
another matter to
fun to now swinging
own thing.”
settle with the Korda
her clubs for cash.
—Jessica
Korda
siblings at the end of this
“My sister started tak-
season. Since both became
ing golf lessons when she
LPGA Tour members, the sisters
was 7 or 8 and I was right beside
began competing to see who finishes
her, always tagging along,” said Nelly. “I
with the higher ranking each season. Jessi-
just loved being around her and we kind of
ca won in 2017, and Nelly won in 2018. The
bonded playing golf together.”
player who finishes highest wins a designer
In recent years, Jessica has encouraged
purse from the other sister.
her sister’s independence. The two now
“This year, it’s been a little difficult for
live on different coasts in Florida, travel
me when I’m not healthy,” said Jessica.
separately to tournaments and stay in
“She’s lapping me and I need to catch up.”
separate private housing at tournament
But whether it’s for a pricey purse, a top
sites, but that gentle parting has taken
world ranking or a head-to-head battle for
place through a gradual process.
a tournament win, count on the Korda
“I was her security blanket out on
sisters to keep pushing each other to be
tour,” said Jessica, when asked how she
just a little better than the year before.
has helped her younger sibling. “She
vsga.org
GO SEE IT
Though they’re best
friends, the Korda
sisters are also
competitors. The
sister that finishes
highest this year has
to buy the other a
designer purse.