BRADENTON, Fla. — Nelly Korda got off to a good start in the first round of the Founders Cup presented by U.S. Virgin Islands, carding a 3-under 68 that saw her make one bogey and four birdies on day one at Bradenton Country Club.

The Bradenton native won the first ever LPGA Tour event to be held at this venue last season, capturing the 2024 LPGA Drive On Championship title in a two-hole playoff over Lydia Ko. It was the first of seven victories that Korda collected throughout the year and kicked off her five-tournament winning streak, a stretch that saw her tie the record for most consecutive victories in consecutive starts dating back to 1978 and join a short list that only otherwise includes Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam.

But Korda is leaving the past in the past as best she can as the 2025 season gets underway and is now working to take home her 16th Tour title in front of a supportive hometown crowd, one she was happy to see on Thursday at the Founders Cup.

“Had pretty good crowds from the start, but then they got a little bit more dense throughout the day as it got hotter out, too, so it was nice to see everyone out,” said Korda. “(Derek) Lowe was there with his wife. I saw them last week, but typically, the people that always come out are my friends and family that come out to my events here in Florida.”

Korda finished solo second to A Lim Kim last week at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions to record both her career-best finish and her fifth T4 or better result in the season-opening event. She posted a 7-under 65 on Sunday to put some pressure on Kim and give the Republic of Korea native a run for her money late, but ultimately finished two strokes behind the major champion, a positive result with which to kick off a new season, a year in which many have high expectations for the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings No. 1.

“I really enjoy playing golf and traveling and especially getting to do that in front of my family. I think having my parents there and Jess (her sister) on the weekend disconnected me from golf when I was not on the golf course,” Korda said in a pre-tournament press conference. “But there is something about having your people there and their support that eases you a little bit more. But to get that first tournament under my belt and know that what I worked on in my short offseason was good.”

Confidence in what and who she is was one of the biggest lessons that Korda learned from her spectacular 2024, a year that not only saw the 26-year-old play incredible golf but also have some off-the-course opportunities like attending the Met Gala and posing for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit that pushed the young talent out of her comfort zone.

And if her play last week – and even through the first round at the Founders Cup – is any indication, that self-belief is something that Korda will continue to channel as the 2025 season progresses and as she works to add even more tallies to her already stacked win column in this new year, maybe even starting right here in Bradenton, Fla.

Bradenton Native Nelly Korda Cards 68 to Open Founders Cup

Related Articles