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Nelly Korda's 18th Win at Riviera Maya Open Marks Historic Milestone as Youngest American Since Nancy Lopez 

ByAbhishek Sharma·

May 4, 2026, 3:07 AM CUT

RIVIERA MAYA OPEN AT MAYAKOBA 2026 RIVIERA MAYA OPEN AT MAYAKOBA 2026 PROAM TOURNAMENT 29042026 PLAYA DEL CARMEN, QUINTANA ROO. Action photo of Nelly Korda of the USA, during the ProAm tournamet of the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba 2026 at El Camaleon Golf Club in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Foto de accion de Nelly Korda de Estados Unidos, durante el evento ProAm del torneo Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba 2026 celebrado en el Club de Golf El Camaleon en Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Photo by IMAGENSHOP AGENCIA FOTOGRAFICA PLAYA DEL CARMEN QUINTANA ROO MEXICO *** RIVIERA MAYA OPEN AT MAYAKOBA 2026 RIVIERA MAYA OPEN AT MAYAKOBA 2026 PROAM TOURNAMENT 29042026 PLAYA DEL CARMEN, QUINTANA ROO Action photo of Nelly Korda of the USA, during the ProAm tournamet of the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba 2026 at El Camaleon Golf Club in Playa del Carmen, Mexico Action photo of Nelly Korda of the USA, during the ProAm tournamet of the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba 2026 held at El Camaleon Golf Club in Playa del Carmen, Mexico Photo by IMAGENSHOP AGENCIA FOTOGRAFICA PLAYA DEL CARMEN QUINTANA ROO MEXICO Copyright: xYOALIxMARTINEZx

Nelly Korda has proven herself the undisputed queen of women's golf after an undisputed win at the Riviera Maya Open in Mexico.

The world number one reached another career milestone, bagging her 18th professional tournament win in the LPGA. She is now officially recognized as the "youngest American player to get to 18 career LPGA wins since Nancy Lopez," at the age of 27.

This unprecedented record-breaking feat was first brought to light by golf reporter Justin Ray on X, highlighting the enormity of her rise through the ranks.

The legendary Nancy Lopez, the benchmark for Korda's latest milestone, still stands as one of the most influential players in golf history, having won 9 LPGA tournaments in her debut year of 1978. Lopez ended her professional career with an astounding 48 LPGA Tour wins.

Korda's record of winning 18 tournaments at such a young age places her alongside Lopez as a generation-defining player.

She bagged this championship with an excellent game, shooting 68, 67, 67, and 69 for a total of 17-under par for the tournament.

The four-shot victory over Arpichaya Yubol is particularly significant as it marks Korda's consecutive victories, coming immediately after her major triumph at the Chevron Championship just a week before.

Nelly Korda Chasing the Legacy of Annika Sörenstam 

Korda is currently one of two golfers who have started an LPGA season with six consecutive top-two finishes since 1980.

This incredible streak mirrors the one established by the renowned Annika Sörenstam in 2001.

"She is 1 of 2 players since 1980 to begin an LPGA season with 6 consecutive top-2 finishes," Ray observed, highlighting her historical consistency.  

Sörenstam began her 2001 season with a second-place finish at the YourLife Vitamins LPGA Classic, before going on to win at the Welch’s/Circle K Championship. She also won the 2021 Nabisco Championship, ending her top-2 streak with a win at The Office Depot Championship.

Similarly, Korda has won three of the six tournaments she started in 2026, winning at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, the Chevron Championship, and most recently, the Riviera Maya Open.

She has also had runner-up finishes at the Fortinet Founders Cup, Ford Championship, and the Aramco Championship.

By matching the early-season consistency of Sörenstam, Korda has signaled that she is currently operating at a level rarely seen in the history of the LPGA Tour.

With the major championship season underway, it is evident that Korda is at the peak of her game, showing no signs of slowing down.

Now, the golfing world will follow Korda to Mountain Ridge in Michigan to watch her play the Mizuho Americas Open.

Will Nelly Korda continue her dominant streak in the following major championships in 2026? Let us know in the comments.

Read more at Club Golf!

Trending slideshow: Nelly Korda’s 2026 Setup: Driver, Irons & Full Bag Breakdown

Aditi Singh Nelly Korda’s 2026 Setup: Driver, Irons & Full Bag Breakdown
Fresh 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/Imago
Nelly 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. Future
The 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/Imago
The 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/Imago
Korda 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. Future
The 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. MyGolfSpy
Although 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. Future
Korda 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. Future
The 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. MyGolfSpy
Testing 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. TaylorMade
All 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/Golffile
She 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. Future
Korda 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 Boylan
Nelly 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. Future
Her 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

Written by

Abhishek Sharma

Edited by

Surjo Ray