Nelly Korda Fires 63 In LPGA Return, Closes In On Hall Of Fame

Nelly Korda apparently didn't need eight weeks of tournament golf to find her competitive edge. Two months away from the LPGA Tour, a vacation in Greece and some much-needed downtime were enough to recharge the world's top-ranked player.

Now she's one victory away from the LPGA Hall of Fame.

MORE: Erik Van Rooyen Fires Back At LIV Golf Stars After Blazing Austin Start

Korda returned Thursday with a bogey-free, 7-under 63 in the opening round of The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, moving within two shots of co-leaders Hye-Jin Choi and Minami Katsu, who each fired 9-under 61s.

Lindy Duncan sits between them after an 8-under 62, leaving Korda fourth heading into Friday's second round.

For Korda, the stakes extend well beyond another tournament trophy.

The 28-year-old enters the final stretch of the LPGA season with 26 Hall of Fame points, one short of the 27 required for induction.

A victory at Pelican Golf Club, where she's already won three times, would officially secure her place among the game's legends.

What's remarkable is that Korda might already have earned that final point had she played more tournaments.

She owns the LPGA's lowest scoring average this season at 69.38, but won't qualify for the Vare Trophy because she won't meet the minimum requirement of 70 official rounds.

That award carries a Hall of Fame point, potentially making her extended absence a costly decision.

Korda isn't second-guessing herself.

"No, that's not me. That's not the way I think," she said when asked whether she'd considered adding events to her schedule.

Her reasoning is simple. Protecting her physical and mental health matters more than chasing another individual honor.

Following September's Solheim Cup, Korda traveled to Greece with her fiancé, enjoying the food and the abundance of friendly cats.

"Almost took a few back home with me," she joked.

The extended break also gave her time to recover from the demands of a season that included four victories, two major championships and her second Rolex Player of the Year award.

Korda acknowledged that playing a schedule approaching 30 events simply isn't realistic for her.

"My body just can't do that," she explained.

Thursday's performance suggested her unconventional approach is working.

Korda collected seven birdies without a bogey, including five on the front nine, and looked comfortable competing alongside Choi, who is still searching for her first LPGA Tour victory.

The three-time Pelican champion now has 54 holes to erase a two-shot deficit and capture her 20th career LPGA victory.

If she succeeds, she'll become the 36th player to qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame.

MORE: Stewart Cink Takes Charles Schwab Cup Lead As Zach Johnson Stumbles

And she'll have accomplished it without sacrificing the break she believed she needed.

For Korda, that might be just as satisfying as the trophy itself.