Nelly Korda Wins LPGA Player Of The Year, Nears Hall Of Fame Milestone

Nelly Korda’s next LPGA victory could come with something even bigger than a trophy: a place in the Hall of Fame.

The world No. 1 secured the 2026 LPGA Rolex Player of the Year award Tuesday, collecting her second career honor and moving to 26 points toward the 27 required for LPGA Hall of Fame qualification. Four victories, including two major championships, have put the 28-year-old within touching distance of another defining achievement.

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And she didn’t need to play this week to finish the job.

Korda’s 239 points leave her 63 ahead of Haeran Ryu, whose remaining schedule includes only two tournaments. With 30 points available for a victory, Ryu can’t close the gap. Miyu Yamashita stands third with 156 points, followed by Jeeno Thitikul with 155.

The award follows Korda’s first Player of the Year selection in 2024. This time, her biggest statements came on the major championship stage.

She won the Chevron Championship by five strokes, then captured the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club in June.

That second major delivered the championship she’d long wanted, even without feeling completely comfortable with her game.

“I feel like I’m in a dream,” Korda said after winning the U.S. Women’s Open.

Her other victories came at the weather-shortened Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions and the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba. She now has 19 career LPGA titles.

The results go beyond those four winning Sundays. Korda recorded 10 top-10 finishes in 15 starts and finished either first or second in each of her opening six appearances.

She also tied for fourth at the AIG Women’s Open and eighth at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

There’s one complication in her pursuit of that final Hall of Fame point.

Despite leading the tour with a 69.38 scoring average, Korda won’t meet the minimum-round requirement for the Vare Trophy.

That closes off one potential route to qualification this season, even as she leads the money list with $6,220,214.

The recognition hasn’t been limited to golf.

Bradenton, Florida, presented its hometown star with a key to the city Monday and proclaimed November 2 “Nelly Korda Day.” Korda also answered questions from local youngsters at City Hall.

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Next comes a return to competition at The Annika in Belleair, Florida, following a two-month break.

She’ll arrive with Player of the Year settled and a chance to make her next win a career-changing one.