March 24, 2026 – World No. 2 Nelly Korda’s comeback bid at the LPGA Tour’s Fortinet Founders Cup fell just short on Sunday, March 22, after a critical late error. The American star, who started the season with a win, finished one stroke behind champion Hyo Joo Kim of South Korea.
Tournament Recap: A Narrow Miss
Korda entered the final round at Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club trailing Kim by five shots. She mounted a fierce charge, erasing the entire deficit by the 10th hole to pull even. However, the rally was undone on the par-4 17th hole. Facing a short par putt, Korda three-putted for bogey, a mistake that ultimately cost her the tournament.
“That’s just golf,” Korda said in post-round comments reported by Yahoo Sports. “Obviously, something like 17 stings, so it is what it is… I gave it my all.” Kim, who led wire-to-wire, secured her eighth career LPGA title with a final-round 73, finishing at 10-under par.
Korda’s 2026 Season and Career at a Glance
The 27-year-old Floridian is in the midst of another strong season. She opened her 2026 campaign with a victory at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in January before taking a six-week break, skipping the tour’s Asian swing.
Korda, who turned professional in 2016, is one of the sport’s most decorated active players:
- Career Wins: 16 LPGA Tour victories, including two major championships (2021 Women’s PGA Championship, 2024 Chevron Championship).
- Olympic Gold: Won the women’s individual golf event at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
- Career Earnings: Over $16.7 million in official LPGA earnings, ranking among the tour’s all-time leaders.
- World Ranking: Has spent over 100 weeks as the world’s No. 1 golfer and is currently ranked No. 2.
Family Success: Brother Sebastian Makes Headlines
While Nelly was competing in California, her younger brother, tennis pro Sebastian Korda, pulled off a major upset at the Miami Open on March 22. The 25-year-old defeated world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in a third-round match, marking his first-ever victory over a top-ranked player. The dual sporting success put the athletic Korda family in the spotlight over the weekend.
Looking Ahead
Despite the disappointing finish, Korda expressed optimism. “I’m taking the positives,” she told the LPGA. “I fought hard and put myself in contention.” The result marks her second top-10 finish in as many starts this season. The LPGA Tour continues its spring schedule, with Korda expected to be a favorite in upcoming events as she pursues her 17th tour title.