,, August 22, 2025
News Summary
The LPGA tour has witnessed unprecedented competition in 2025 with 22 different winners in 21 events, including several rookies. While Nelly Korda remains an elite player, sitting at No. 2 in the world rankings and maintaining a strong scoring average, she has yet to secure a victory. This season has challenged established players with tight leaderboards and a surge of new talent, making it tougher for even the best to close out tournaments. Korda’s consistency reflects her skill, but as the season progresses, she will need to convert her strong finishes into wins.
Toronto — Nelly Korda Hunting Her First Win of 2025 as LPGA Turns Into a Free-for-All
Big picture
The LPGA this season has felt like a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re going to get. A record 22 different players have already won in the first 21 events, and six of those winners are rookies. That kind of parity has swept across tournaments, turning once-predictable leaderboards into a carousel of new champions.
Where Nelly Korda stands
Nelly Korda is still very much one of the tour’s elite. She sits at No. 2 in the World Rankings, has made every cut in stroke-play events this year (13-for-13), and has recorded five top-10 finishes. Statistically, her season looks eerily similar to her dominant 2024 campaign — but the glaring difference is the scoreboard: she has zero wins so far in 2025, compared with six by this point last year.
Numbers that matter
Scoring average remains a strong indicator of form and Korda is right near the top. Her scoring average this season is 69.87, second only to Jenno Thitikul at 69.51. Last year Korda’s season average was 69.56, also trailing Thitikul. The top 25 players on the LPGA are averaging 70.48 so far — a touch lower than the 70.74 mark at the same time last season — which shows the tour overall is producing stronger numbers.
Where it’s gone wrong for Korda
Even with all the consistency, the one place Korda hasn’t been able to convert is on Sunday. Her third-round scoring average this year sits at 70.25, up from 69.39 last year — a sign that weekends and finish-line pressure have been tougher to crack. In the majors she’s been solid but not dominant: she’s made the cut in all five majors this season, with her best result a tie for second at the U.S. Women’s Open. The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship was a rare rough patch, where she didn’t finish higher than 19th.
Mindset and micro-details
Korda’s camp and her approach have been about staying level-headed, focusing on what she can control, and not getting hung up on regaining the world No. 1 spot. Part of the story is the mental grind: when the tour is this wide open, the margins for error shrink. Korda has been clear about needing everything to click at once to close out tournaments — and so far, that perfect storm hasn’t arrived.
Small but telling signs
One symbolic detail: the green bib that signals the world’s top player this week is on Jenno Thitikul’s caddie, not Korda’s. It’s a minor visual, but in a tour where momentum is everything, little signals like that can weigh on public perception and internal drive.
Spotlight from the CPKC Women’s Open
Adding to the unpredictable vibe, rising star Aphrodite Deng made headlines at the CPKC Women’s Open by firing a first-round 66 and sitting tied for the lead. If rookie winners keep popping up, Korda and other established players will have to sharpen every aspect of their games to stay ahead in a season that’s shaping up to be one for the history books.
Bottom line
Nelly Korda isn’t playing poorly — far from it. Her numbers say she’s still elite, but golf right now is brutal in its unpredictability. The combination of a deep leaderboard, several hot rookies, and tight scoring averages across the board means that converting top finishes into wins has become a tougher ask. Fans should expect Korda to keep pushing and to remain a favorite at any event she plays; it’s only a matter of time before everything aligns and she starts closing the deal again.
FAQ
Is Nelly Korda playing well in 2025?
Yes. Korda has been extremely consistent: she’s made all 13 cuts in stroke-play events, recorded five top-10 finishes, and sits at No. 2 in the World Rankings with a season scoring average of 69.87.
Why hasn’t Korda won yet despite strong stats?
The LPGA season has been unusually competitive, with many players capable of winning any week. Korda’s weekend scoring has been a touch higher than last year, and tight leaderboards mean small miscues can cost a victory.
Who leads the scoring average this season?
Jenno Thitikul leads with a season scoring average of 69.51, with Korda close behind at 69.87.
How have Korda’s majors gone this year?
She’s made the cut in all five majors, with a best finish of tied for second at the U.S. Women’s Open. Results in other majors were solid but lacked a win.
Are rookies making a splash this year?
Absolutely. Six of the winners this season are rookies, which is a big reason the tour has been so unpredictable.
Who is notable at the CPKC Women’s Open?
Aphrodite Deng shot a first-round 66 and was tied for the lead, becoming one of the names to watch during the tournament.
Quick Reference Table
| Category | 2025 / Current | 2024 / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LPGA Wins (by this point) | 0 (Korda) | 6 (Korda at same time in 2024) |
| World Ranking | No. 2 (Korda) | Was world No. 1 during 2024 season |
| Season Scoring Average | 69.87 (Korda) — 69.51 (Thitikul lead) | 69.56 (Korda last year) |
| Third-Round Scoring Average | 70.25 (Korda) | 69.39 (Korda last year) |
| Top-10 Finishes | 5 (Korda) | — |
| Cuts Made (stroke play) | 13-for-13 (Korda) | — |
| Major Best Result (2025) | Tied for 2nd (U.S. Women’s Open) | Made all majors; mixed results |
| LPGA Winner Diversity | 22 different winners in first 21 events | Record season of parity |
| Rookie Winners | 6 rookies have won | Rookies impacting leaderboards |
| Notable CPKC Leader | Aphrodite Deng — 1st round 66 (tied lead) | — |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Calgary Teen Takes Lead at CPKC Women’s Open
LPGA Tour 2025 Schedule Unveiled with Record Prize Money
Additional Resources
- Golf Digest: Nelly Korda Hunting Her First Win of 2025
- LPGA: Featured Groups at CPKC Women’s Open
- NBC Sports: Aphrodite Deng’s Remarkable Start
- LPGA: Annika Sorenstam at US Senior Women’s Open
- LPGA: Field Breakdown for CPKC Women’s Open
- Wikipedia: Nelly Korda
- Google Search: LPGA 2025
- Google Scholar: Women’s Golf 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Women’s Golf
- Google News: Nelly Korda
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
