Alex Morgan and Nelly Korda. Image credits: Imagn Images
Alex Morgan and Nelly Korda. Image credits: Imagn Images
World no. 1 Nelly Korda's patriotic attire attracted much buzz at Riviera, but it was her jersey number that sparked the most interest ahead of the U.S. Women's Open.
Sporting red, white, and blue to celebrate being selected for the Solheim Cup between the United States and Europe, a reporter asked Korda if wearing the No. 13 Jersey is her way of honoring soccer star Alex Morgan. Korda clarified the same during the June 2, 2026, pre-tournament press conference.
"Honestly, I didn't even know that she was out here today, but it's my favorite number," Korda noted.
Korda explained that the number 13 is tied to personal milestones rather than soccer superstitions.
Korda picked her lucky number based on her life events and achievements. Her parents' birthdays are only 13 days apart, and she earned her 13th professional LPGA win in 2024 at the Chevron Championship, her second major title.
While many view the number as bad luck, Korda embraces it completely.
"It's just always been a lot of people think Friday the 13th or 13 has been an unlucky number, but I've always loved the number 13," she said.
Korda is certainly not unlucky, as 2026 has been a great year for her. The top-ranked golfer enters the major championship with an elite resume, boasting over 100 weeks at World No. 1 and 18 professional LPGA victories under her belt. She sets her eyes on the Solheim Cup next.
Nelly Korda's Record-Breaking Solheim Standing
The Florida player leads the current LPGA season in points earned with a record-setting 2,603 points tally in the U.S. Solheim Cup points list. Moreover, she has accumulated 1,039.50 more points than her closest competitor, Angel Yin.
This advantage guarantees her a fifth selection to Team USA. She will lead the American delegation in the Netherlands later this fall with a performance of 10-5-1 throughout her Solheim Cup career.
Korda remains a powerhouse in the biennial event, anchoring a 3-1-0 individual performance during the 2024 edition. Her elite play helped secure a resounding victory for the United States squad.
Moreover, the current season also shows off her remarkable consistency in playing at the highest level. Korda has been winning consistently, clinching three titles out of seven starts this season.
These include a win at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in January, a dominant major victory at the historic Chevron Championship in April, and first place at Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba, again in April.
This week is a perfect opportunity for Korda to redeem herself from the T2 finish at the 2025 U.S. Women's Open.
Do you think Nelly Korda can clinch a win at the 2026 U.S. Women's Open? Let us know in the comments.
Trending slideshow: Nelly Korda’s 2026 Setup: Driver, Irons & Full Bag Breakdown
Aditi Singh
Nelly Korda’s 2026 Setup: Driver, Irons & Full Bag BreakdownFresh off a dominant stretch, Nelly Korda’s 2026 setup reflects precision over experimentation. From a driver built to eliminate her right miss to a carefully blended iron set, every club has a purpose. This isn’t just a bag; it’s a blueprint for control, consistency, and elite-level performance under pressure. Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire/ImagoNelly Korda uses a TaylorMade Qi10 Max driver (10°) paired with a Mitsubishi GT 60 S shaft. The head design features a deeper profile and a heel-biased center of gravity, helping her square the face at impact and control starting direction. The setup is built to reduce right misses and support a controlled draw pattern. FutureThe driver was refined through multiple test sessions. Shaft tipping adjustments improved face rotation through impact, while reducing back weight lowered spin and supported a consistent draw. Several prototype heads were tested before finalizing the build. The process focused on achieving repeatable launch conditions and tighter dispersion rather than chasing maximum distance gains. David Mariuz/AAP/ImagoThe driver provides consistent launch windows and stable spin rates across center and off-center strikes. This helps maintain predictable carry distances and reduces variation in shot dispersion. The setup allows her to start the ball on the intended line and shape it reliably, which is critical for accuracy on tighter driving holes. Martha Asencio Rhine/ZUMA Press Wire/ImagoKorda uses TaylorMade Stealth 2 fairway woods at 15° (3-wood) and 21° (7-wood). These clubs have remained unchanged despite testing newer models. The setup provides coverage for long approach distances and offers versatility from both tee shots and fairway lies without requiring frequent adjustments. FutureThe fairway woods are primarily used for long approach shots, especially on par 5 holes. They produce a high launch with controlled spin, allowing the ball to land with a steeper descent angle. This helps the ball stop on greens from longer distances and maintains consistency across different turf conditions. MyGolfSpyAlthough newer models showed slight increases in ball speed and distance during testing, she retained her current clubs due to consistent performance. Confidence and repeatability were prioritized over marginal gains. The existing setup delivers reliable numbers, which reduces the need for changes during tournament play. FutureKorda uses a blended iron set consisting of a TaylorMade P770 5-iron and TaylorMade P7CB irons from 6 through pitching wedge. This combination separates performance needs, using the P770 for added launch and the P7MC irons for precision and shot control on shorter approach distances. FutureThe P770 5-iron was selected to increase launch height and improve stopping power on long approach shots. The P7MC irons provide more control and better turf interaction for mid-to-short irons. This setup allows her to manage trajectory and spin effectively across different yardages. MyGolfSpyTesting showed that the P770 5-iron produced higher peak height, reduced spin, and a steeper descent angle compared to other options. This improved her ability to hold greens from longer distances. The P7MC irons maintained consistent ball speed and control for shorter shots. TaylorMadeAll irons are matched to the same total weight. This ensures a consistent feel and timing throughout the set. Matching overall weight helps maintain swing rhythm and improves control during both full swings and partial shots. Stefano Di Maria/Imago/GolffileShe uses a TaylorMade MG4 50° wedge and a TaylorMade Prototype 54° wedge. These are configured to provide consistent distance gaps from her pitching wedge and support controlled approach shots inside scoring range. The setup focuses on maintaining predictable spin and trajectory on partial shots. FutureKorda uses a TaylorMade Spider Tour X putter. The design includes a compact mallet shape with toe hang, which suits a putting stroke with slight arc. The setup supports alignment and consistent roll on mid- and short-range putts. Howard BoylanNelly plays the TaylorMade TP5x golf ball. Testing showed reduced spin off the driver and improved control with irons and wedges. The ball also produces a lower launch on chips with increased spin, helping with distance control around the greens. FutureHer setup reflects a stable configuration based on tested performance. Changes are made only when a clear gap is identified. Each club remains in the bag due to consistent results in launch, spin, and control, supporting her overall strategy during tournament play. Aaron Doster/Imago
