When Nelly Korda withdrew from an LPGA Tour event a few weeks ago, she received a text message saying, “Thanks for giving us a chance.”
Korda has won six of her last seven competitions, including last month’s major, the Chevron Championship. The 25-year-old tops the world rankings with twofold the places of her closest opponent, individual American Lilia Vu.
Korda’s Impressive Streak
England’s No. 2, Georgia Hall, was the one who sent Korda that cheeky message. Hall believes her friend’s dominance is exactly what women’s golf needs in 2024.
“In a way, I hope it continues because it’s amazing to watch,” said Hall, ranked 32nd in the world. “I can’t even fathom it. Winning six out of seven is just incredible.”
“It’s generally great for the sport. Even though we all want to win more than anything, her continuous victories are doing wonders for promoting the tournaments and the tour overall.”
Life on the LPGA Tour
Hall is in her seventh season as an LPGA Tour member but has chosen not to relocate to the United States full-time.
“I try for three consecutive weeks at most. I don’t want to do more than that because it’s tough,” said the 28-year-old. “Finishing a round and it’s 5 p.m. in the U.S. while everyone back in the UK is asleep… If you play badly, you just sit there with no one to talk to.”
“Half the mental battle is ensuring you’re happy and ready to play good golf. I love being at home in the UK, and that’s never going to change.”
Preparing for Upcoming Majors
Hall is preparing for the season’s second women’s major, the US Women’s Open next week, followed by the PGA Championship in June and the Evian Championship in July. But she’s also looking forward to the AIG Women’s Open at St. Andrews and the Old Course from August 22-25.
Reflecting on her last visit to the course, Hall recalled being invited to play in a special four-hole “Celebration of Champions” event in 2022, marking The Open’s 150th anniversary. She played alongside Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Lee Trevino, who have won six Claret Jugs among them.
A Special Connection with St. Andrews
Hall’s first visit to the Old Course was in 2013, where she made an impressive debut at 17, winning the Women’s Open Silver Medal as the leading amateur. “I played solidly that week, starting with a four-under-par 68,” she recalled. “I typically putt best on joins greens, however I don’t get to play them frequently. I’m really looking forward to putting on those greens again.”
“You most certainly need to envision more shots on this course, particularly when the breeze gets. I hope we don’t have perfect weather because it doesn’t show the course at its best. Like any Open, the weather should be a bit British.”
Hall won the Women’s Open in 2018 at another links course, Royal Lytham and St Annes, and says adding a second title at St. Andrews would be the ultimate achievement.
“If I won the US Open this year, it wouldn’t surpass my win at Lytham,” she said. “The only thing that could top that is if I won here.”