“An Unforgettable Moment: 20-Year-Old Nelly Korda Reflects on Her First LPGA Tour Win”

At just 20 years old, Nelly Korda secured her first LPGA Tour victory at the 2016 Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship. The win at Ta Shee Golf and Country Club marked a major milestone in her career. Reflecting on the triumph, Korda described it as “one of the best days” of her life, fulfilling a lifelong dream of winning an LPGA event. She was the ninth first-time winner on the Tour that season, proving her talent and determination on the global stage.

However, the road to victory was far from easy. Korda battled significant health challenges throughout the season, including stomach issues and severe cramps that forced her to withdraw from events. She was later diagnosed with Clostridium difficile, a bacterial infection that made competing even more difficult. Despite these setbacks, she persevered and triumphed over strong competitors like Minjee Lee and Taiwan’s Wei-Lung Hsu, who had overwhelming crowd support.

Throughout her journey, Korda found unwavering support from her sister, Jessica Korda, who, despite being unable to attend, cheered her on via FaceTime. Jessica, herself an accomplished golfer, had also faced adversity that year, recovering from major jaw surgery while competing on the LPGA Tour. Their strong bond and shared experiences fueled Nelly’s determination, making her first victory even more meaningful. Korda’s resilience and success marked the beginning of an illustrious career in professional golf.