Nelly Korda Wins 2026 LPGA Player of the Year, Moves One Victory Away From Hall of Fame

Nelly Korda has added another major achievement to her golfing career, clinching the 2026 LPGA Player of the Year award and moving within touching distance of the LPGA Hall of Fame. The 28-year-old American secured the points-based honour on Tuesday, winning it for the second time in three years after another outstanding season.

Korda’s remarkable campaign featured four tournament victories, including two major titles at The Chevron Championship and the US Women’s Open. Her triumph at the US Women’s Open, held at the prestigious Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, was one of the standout moments of her season.

She mathematically secured the award after her closest challengers fell out of contention. South Korea’s Haeran Ryu withdrew from last week’s tournament in Malaysia because of an injury, while Japan’s Miyu Yamashita and Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul did not enter next week’s The Annika tournament in Florida. This left them unable to catch Korda, with three events remaining on the LPGA calendar.

The latest honour has also brought Korda closer to an exclusive milestone. The Player of the Year award earned her 26 points, leaving her just one short of the 27 required for LPGA Hall of Fame qualification. A victory at either The Annika or the CME Group Tour Championship in Florida would secure the final point.

Korda began the season in spectacular fashion, winning the Tournament of Champions in Orlando before recording six consecutive finishes as either the winner or runner-up. She later captured the US Women’s Open after briefly ending that streak with a tie for eighth place.

A victory in either of her next two tournaments could now turn her exceptional season into a historic career achievement.