Considering how well Nelly Korda has been playing in the past few years, it is perhaps surprising that she hasn't made a hole-in-one since the age of 11... Now though, some 14 years later, the American has broken the curse!
Playing the third round of the CME Group Tour Championship, which hosts the LPGA Tour's season ender, the 25-year-old began her day six shots back of Alison Lee and Nasa Hataoka.
However, Korda is one of the best players in the world and, when she opened her third round with birdies at the par 5 first and sixth, she was gradually moving up the leaderboard and putting her name amongst those at the top.
A par at the seventh followed and, as she came to the par 3 eighth, it was the magic moment which followed, with Korda's tee shot majestically gliding through the air and landing just short of the flag. From there, it never left the hole, rolling in for her first ace in over a decade.
Korda is looking for her second win of 2023, after claiming the Aramco Team Series London event back in July
Understandably, the celebrations were wild, especially as Korda's group were selected for feature group coverage. In the video, the Major winner can be seen high-fiving her playing partner Hyo Joo Kim, as well as both her and Kim's caddies.
The hole-in-one was the second of the week, following Jenny Shin's effort at the same hole just 24 hours earlier and, with the ace, Korda's shot is the 20th hole-in-one of the 2023 LPGA Tour season.
-
Lee Chieh-po Facts: 10 Things To Know About The Chinese Taipei ProLee Chieh-po came to prominence with his maiden Asian Tour win in 2024 – here are 10 things to know about the Chinese Taipei star
-
Chieh-po Lee Secures Spot In 2025 LIV Golf League After Promotions VictoryThe Chinese Taipei star fired a 10-under tournament total to claim a two shot victory and a spot on the 2025 LIV Golf League
-
Nelly Korda Debuts New TaylorMade Driver At Grant Thornton InvitationalThe World No.1 was spotted using a TaylorMade Qi35 Max driver, which appeared on the USGA’s Conforming Clubs list earlier in the week
-
Grant Thornton Invitational Prize Money Payout 2024How much money is on the line at the Grant Thornton Invitational?
-
R&A Introduces New Transgender Policy For Top Women's Golf EventsThe R&A has introduced a new transgender policy prohibiting golfers who have been through male puberty from taking part in top women's events
-
Tony Finau Pulls Out Of Grant Thornton InvitationalTony Finau has withdrawn from the Grant Thornton Invitational due to a knee injury, with his place alongside Nelly Korda being taken up by Daniel Berger
-
NCAA Div 1 Champion, World No.14 And LET Winners Amongst 26 Players Who Secured 2025 LPGA Tour CardsAfter almost a week of drama, 26 players have secured their playing rights on the LPGA Tour for 2025, with 10 rookies joining the top circuit
-
American Pro DQ'd From LET Q-School Without Hitting A ShotGabby Lemieux travelled over to North Africa for Ladies European Tour Q-School but was disqualified on the first morning of action
-
Grant Thornton Invitational Odds, Picks And PredictionsThe mixed pairs event returns for another year, with 32 of the biggest names from both the PGA and LPGA Tour circuits featuring once again
-
Nelly Korda One Of Three Golfers In Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2024 As Tennis Continues To DominateKorda topped the total earnings for a female golfer in 2024, but one of her rivals picked up more money from on-course achievements...
