World number two Nelly Korda says she feels close to her best again and is excited for the challenge ahead as she returns to Europe for the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – London event.
The American arrives at Centurion Club following a back injury layoff which preceded missed cuts at both the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and U.S. Women’s Open.
But with an exceptional record in this format to her name, Korda insists the good times are close to being back as she looks ahead to a busy summer of golf.
“Pebble Beach was definitely a difficult test having just come back from an injury,” the 24-year-old said. “I feel very close with my game. The scores may not seem it right now.
“Obviously at the start of the year, I had a really strong start. I was barely finishing outside of the top 10. I had two missed cuts and then Pebble wasn’t the greatest of showing but that’s just golf. You have to learn and grow from that. That’s when you appreciate the highs when you go through the lows.
“I feel really good. That was the main concern. Now it’s just getting my golf fixed. One round at a time. There is only one goal in mind and that’s to hopefully hold the trophy at the end of the week so I’m going to give it my all and see how it goes.”
Back in Europe for the first time in 2023, Korda will be boosted by her stellar record in the Aramco Team Series events, with the American winning last year’s Sotogrande Individual event and finishing fourth in New York.
“I think it’s a super fun event, especially the team aspect of it,” the world number two explained. “It brings a different kind of energy to the course. It’s fun, it’s light, it makes golf a lot of fun having teammates out there with you. I love the individual aspect of golf but it’s fun to mix it up here and there.
“It’s a really great course in really great condition. I know high winds are forecast for the week, so I think it will be a tricky test.”
As for her time in Europe – a stretch which will see her compete at the Amundi Evian Championship and AIG Women’s Open over the next month – Korda is relishing seeing family and friends from across the pond while also taking in new cultural experiences.
“I went out to Wimbledon yesterday which was a lot of fun,” Korda said. “I got to watch the [Novak] Djokovic match on centre court which was a really fun and unique experience. I’ve never been out there before and got to try strawberries and cream for the first time!
“I have a lot of friends in the UK so that’s what I look forward to the most is being able to see everyone again and play the fun golf courses. You don’t get a lot of golf courses like this out in the US, so every single time we’re out here it’s fun to try something new and different.
“I’m going back to see my family in Prague next week, so I love coming over here. It’s closer to my second home in Czech Republic. I love travelling, I love to experience different cultures and different foods.”
The Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – London gets underway at 6:45am on Friday. Follow all the action on @LETGolf on Instagram and Twitter and Ladies European Tour on Facebook and YouTube – #RaiseOurGame #BringTheEnergy.
