As the daughter of Petr Korda, an Australian Open champion, and Regina Rajchrtova, an Olympian, Nelly Korda joining the ranks of professional golfers has often bothered the fans. But about six months ago, she revealed that her career was actually influenced by her parents’ intention. 

In conversation with David Solomon, the CEO of Goldman Sachs, the 15-time LPGA Tour winner revealed, “They did not want us to play tennis at all. They thought that we were going to get compared to them and their careers.”

So, how did the former world #1 find her way into golf?

“My dad, when he stopped playing, he picked up golf, and it was something that we could all do together,” she revealed on Goldman Sachs. “No matter how big your family is, you could all be hitting golf balls, you can all be on the putting green, playing competitions against each other. And tennis is so one-on-one.” 

But it wasn’t just golf or tennis where Nelly Korda tried out her luck. During her younger years, she also tried her hand at figure skating, skiing, etc. But for her and her sister (Jessica Korda), passion shone bright with golf. 

Korda continued, “I played a bunch of sports in school as well, and all they [her parents] wanted for us was to be active. But then, at the end of the day, golf was something we’re really passionate about, my sister and I, and we pursued it. And the rest is history.” 

But it’s not just passion that pushed Korda to continue striving for the top spot in golf. 

Nelly Korda Reveals the True Motivation for Her Games

Back in 2024, Korda claimed, “My favorite part of all of this, this entire journey, is seeing all the little kids who come up to me, telling me how I’ve inspired them to pick up the game.”

There was another aspect of golf that kept Korda hooked. Talking to GOLF, back in May 2022, she explained, “It’s the moments you’re coming down the stretch, and you’re in contention, and you feel the rush through your entire body.” 

“It’s those moments that I love and the intensity, too. Afterwards, you feel really sick because you’re like, Oh my God, I just went through a million emotions in the past four hours, but it’s what I love. I strive to be in that position as many times as possible, and it’s what I work for.”

What began as a deliberate choice to avoid comparison ultimately shaped her identity. By choosing golf over expectation, Korda found both freedom and the platform to inspire a new generation.

Written by

Krushna Pattnaik

Edited by

Joyita Das