During a press conference ahead of the 2025 AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl, world No. 1 golfer Nelly Korda surprised fans by revealing she’s contemplated retirement. The 27-year-old, fresh off celebrating her birthday, admitted: “I’ve thought about retirement. It’s not something I’m actively planning, but the grind, the pressure – it gets to you sometimes.”
The confession from the 15-time LPGA winner, including her record-tying five consecutive victories in 2024, sparked immediate reactions across social media. Fans expressed both concern and support for the Olympic gold medalist, with many praising her honesty about the mental and physical toll of professional golf.
Korda’s 2025 season has seen challenges, including a back injury that forced her to miss the Chevron Championship and a shoulder issue causing withdrawal from the Aramco Team Series. “You’re expected to be perfect every week,” she told reporters. “It’s exhausting, and there are moments you wonder if it’s worth it.”
The golf star credited her tight-knit family, particularly sister Jessica Korda, as her support system. Jessica, a six-time LPGA winner currently on hiatus, recently celebrated Nelly’s birthday with a playful Instagram post showing the world No. 1 riding a child’s rocking horse – a lighthearted moment contrasting with Nelly’s serious reflections.
While clarifying she’s not retiring imminently, Korda’s openness has sparked conversations about athlete mental health and longevity in women’s golf. She remains committed to upcoming tournaments, including her AIG Women’s Open title defense, but her comments reveal the often-unseen pressures facing even the sport’s brightest stars.
As Korda navigates this period of reflection, the golf world watches with appreciation for her candor and hope that the player who has brought so much excitement to the game will continue competing on her own terms.
