Nelly Korda reclaimed the No. 1 spot in women’s golf following a commanding performance at the LPGA Tour event in Mexico this past weekend. Despite a rare mistake on the final hole, the 27-year-old American closed out the tournament with a four-stroke victory, further solidifying her status as one of the sport’s most formidable competitors.

Korda’s errant drive on the 18th hole resulted in a lost ball in the bushes, and her subsequent shot landed in a bunker. However, the misstep did little to affect her dominant lead, having played the preceding 60 holes without a bogey. Her resilience exemplified the form that has characterized her recent play.

This season, Korda has captured three titles in six tournaments and has not finished outside the top two. Her latest triumph followed a major victory at the Chevron Championship, where she claimed her third major title with a five-stroke margin—the largest in nearly 20 years at that event.

Korda’s current hot streak echoes an earlier peak in her career. In 2024, she won six tournaments in eight starts and posted an overall tally of seven victories in 16 events, including a streak of five consecutive wins that matched the LPGA record. Comparatively, Scottie Scheffler led the PGA Tour that year with seven wins over 19 tournaments.

However, Korda’s career has also seen significant highs and lows. After a breakout season in 2021, highlighted by five wins including Olympic gold and her first major at the Women’s PGA Championship, she faced challenges in the subsequent two years. Health issues hampered her ability to maintain momentum, resulting in just one win over those seasons. The 2025 season saw another winless drought, despite consistent top-10 finishes.

Korda attributed these fluctuations not to technical deficiencies but to mental blocks arising from frustration and overthinking on the course. “That was paralyzing me,” she said, speaking about the challenges she faced during her slump. She emphasized the importance of “letting go” as a key factor in regaining her confidence and competitive edge.

The daughter of former Australian Open tennis champion Petr Korda, she described the lows as instructive periods that heightened her appreciation for success. Reflecting on her final-hole error in Mexico, Korda acknowledged that golf “humbled me on the last hole” despite the comfortable win, underscoring her grounded approach amid sustained excellence.

As Korda resumes her position atop the world rankings, there is anticipation she could rival or even surpass her remarkable achievements from 2024. Her recent performances suggest that the balance of talent and mental fortitude may once again be favoring her in a highly competitive landscape.