Nelly Korda is discovering that there is a final boss in elite golf. After yet another close loss, golf's top player has broken her silence on her newest competitor.

The Ford Championship finished once again with the same name on top of the leaderboard. Hyo Joo Kim won, leaving Korda as the runner-up once again.

"I'm done playing with her... I'm just kidding," Korda playfully said in her post-round interview. She described her opponent's form as inspiring, saying, "Hyo Joo has been playing an amazing golf ... It's been really inspiring to see."

Following Kim's historic streak of dominance, this lighthearted reaction is fitting. Hyo Joo is the first player to achieve back-to-back wins on the LPGA Tour since Nelly Korda did it in 2024.

In terms of stats, the gap between these two and the rest of the field is mind-boggling. Nelly has 3 LPGA starts this season and has finished 1st, 2nd, and 2nd.

Importantly, Hyo Joo Kim is the only player to defeat her this season. Their budding rivalry has fans eager for their next matchup.

Elevating the Game Through Intense Competition

Korda described the level of play by her competitor as an individual motivator. She stated, "Playing with her definitely motivates me—I elevate my game. She's just a phenomenal player."

Although the result might be frustrating because of consecutive second-place finishes, Korda is still level-headed regarding the nature of the sport. She commented, "That’s golf. I mean, I’m going to make mistakes... I just can’t get down on myself."

Even though competition was fierce, the two clearly enjoyed each other's company. A popular picture from the third round shows Korda making a heart sign behind a smiling Kim.

As the leaderboard comes into focus, eyes turn to next week's event. Will Korda be able to regain the winner's circle before Kim's winning streak extends even further? Tell us what you think will happen in the comments.

Follow Club Golf for more updates.

Written by

Abhishek Sharma

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi