The pressure is on for Nelly Korda as she struggles to meet the sky-high expectations set for her after a phenomenal 2024 season on the LPGA Tour. Despite winning a record 7 titles last year, the world No. 1 has been facing criticism for not living up to the same standards in 2025.
Fans expected Korda to continue her winning streak this year, but she has only managed top-10 finishes in a few events so far, with her worst performance being a T28 finish. The weight of expectations on her shoulders seems to be taking a toll as she navigates through a challenging season.
Amidst all the pressure, Korda has found support from LPGA legend Michelle Wie West, who commended her for handling the expectations with grace and resilience. West empathized with Korda’s situation, acknowledging the immense pressure that top golfers like her face in every tournament they compete in.
Adding to Korda’s challenges, she recently suffered a personal loss as her beloved cat of 15 years passed away. The emotional turmoil might affect her performance as she gears up to defend her title at the upcoming 2025 Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National Golf Club.
However, Korda will not have an easy defense, as she faces fierce competition from Lydia Ko, who has been in stellar form this season with a win already under her belt. Another contender to watch out for is Rose Zhang, despite her struggles with injuries. Zhang has a history of surprising her competition and could pose a significant challenge to Korda’s title defense.
As the golfing world eagerly anticipates the outcome of the 2025 Mizuho Americas Open, all eyes will be on Nelly Korda and her quest to overcome the obstacles in her path to victory.