Nelly Korda capped her best season by taking home two top honors Wednesday at the Rolex LPGA Awards in Naples, Florida.
The 26-year-old from Florida received the Rolex Player of the Year Award and the Rolex Annika Major Award, which goes to the top finisher with the best overall results in the five major events of the season.
Korda won seven events in 2024, including the Chevron Championship, his second major career title.
“It’s been crazy, it’s been a good year, full of accidents and downs, but I’m fine, I’m very grateful to my team sitting here,” said Korda. “It’s been a great year and I’m so grateful to be doing what I love.”
Korda entered the year winning six LPGA tournaments but added victories at the LPGA Drive On Championship, Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship, Ford Championship, T-Mobile Match Play, Mizuho Americas Open and The Annika in addition to the tournament. Chevron Championship.
She missed the cut at both the US Women’s Open and the Women’s PGA Championship before tying for 26th at the Evian Championship and finishing second at the Women’s British Open.
With Lilia Vu winning Player of the Year in 2023, US golfers have taken the honor in consecutive years for the first time since Betsy King and Beth Daniel did so in 1993 and 1994, respectively.
New Zealand’s Lydia Ko was awarded the Heather Farr Perseverance Award, given for “hard work, dedication and passion for the game of golf.” Ko, 27, won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics to become the youngest player to achieve Hall of Fame status since the current format began.
Ko’s three victories this year include the major, the Women’s British Open.
“2024 felt like a fairy tale, one word, a fairy tale,” Ko said. “I can’t believe it, even now I’m looking at some of the best stuff. I still get goosebumps.”
Ally Ewing received the Founders Award, given to the player who “best exemplifies the spirit, principles and values of the LPGA through his conduct and actions.”
Seth Waugh, CEO of the PGA of America, and Martin Slumbers, CEO of the R&A, were presented with the Commissioners Award. The honor honors “an individual or organization who has made an outstanding contribution to the LPGA and its Members, advanced the cause of women’s golf, and has the highest character and standards.”
Gale Peterson, an instructional specialist at Sea Island Golf Performance Center in St. Simons, Ga., won the Ellen Griffin Rolex Award.
First-time LPGA Championship winners Bailey Tardy, Linnea Strom and Lauren Coughlin were also recognized.
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