Korda’s Dramatic Exit
The 2025 Chevron Championship was a rollercoaster for Korda, 26, who entered the tournament as the defending champion and a heavy favorite after a dominant start to the season, including victories at the Ford Championship and the T-Mobile Match Play earlier in the year. However, Korda struggled throughout the week, battling windy conditions and a series of uncharacteristic mistakes. She finished the first two rounds at 2 over par, barely making the cut, and a disastrous third round of 76 (4 over par) saw her miss the final round by three strokes.
Visibly frustrated as she walked off the 18th green, Korda was asked by reporters about her experience at the tournament and whether she looked forward to returning in 2026. Her response was explosive. “I’m done with this tournament,” Korda declared, her voice trembling with anger. “They have to pay for everything—travel, accommodations, meals, everything! It’s ridiculous. I’m not coming back to the Chevron Championship, ever. They don’t treat players with the respect we deserve.”
A Clash Over Expenses
Korda’s comments appear to stem from a long-simmering frustration among some LPGA players regarding the financial burdens of competing in major tournaments. Unlike the PGA Tour, where top players often receive appearance fees and have expenses covered by sponsors or organizers, LPGA players frequently bear the brunt of travel and accommodation costs, even at prestigious events like the Chevron Championship. The tournament, which offers a $5.2 million purse (with $1 million to the winner in 2025), is one of the richest on the LPGA Tour, but Korda’s remarks suggest that the financial support for players falls short of expectations for a major championship.
Sources close to Korda say she was particularly upset about the lack of courtesy accommodations for players this year. “Nelly had to pay out of pocket for her entire team’s stay in Houston,” an insider told Golf Digest. “For a major champion and the world No. 1, she felt it was disrespectful. She’s been vocal about equal treatment in the sport, and this was the final straw for her.”
The Golf World Reacts
Korda’s declaration has ignited a firestorm of reactions across the golf community. On X, fans were quick to take sides, with the hashtag #KordaVsChevron trending worldwide. “Nelly’s right—LPGA players deserve better treatment!” one user wrote. “If Chevron can’t support the best in the game, they don’t deserve her.” Others, however, criticized Korda’s stance, with another user posting, “She’s a millionaire—why is she complaining about expenses? Sounds entitled to me.”
Fellow players have also weighed in. Nancy Lopez, a three-time Chevron Championship winner, expressed sympathy for Korda’s position. “I understand Nelly’s frustration,” Lopez told ESPN. “The LPGA has come a long way, but there’s still a gap in how players are treated compared to the men’s game. If Nelly feels disrespected, she has every right to take a stand.” Meanwhile, Amy Yang, the 2025 Chevron Championship winner, took a more diplomatic approach. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to play here, but I agree we need better support for players,” Yang said after her victory, which earned her $1 million and her second major title.
Chevron and LPGA Respond
Chevron, the title sponsor of the championship since 1983, issued a statement in response to Korda’s comments. “We are proud to host one of the premier events in women’s golf and are committed to providing a world-class experience for all players,” the statement read. “We will review feedback from this year’s tournament to ensure we continue to meet the needs of the athletes.” The LPGA Tour also released a statement, saying, “We value Nelly Korda’s contributions to the game and will work with our partners to address her concerns. Our goal is to support all players and grow the sport.”
However, sources within the LPGA say Korda’s comments have caused tension behind the scenes. “Some officials are upset with Nelly for going public with this,” an LPGA insider told Golfweek. “They feel she should have raised her concerns privately, but Nelly wanted to make a statement. This could have long-term repercussions for her relationship with the tour.”
What’s Next for Korda?
Korda’s decision to boycott the Chevron Championship in the future is a major blow to the tournament, which has long been a cornerstone of the LPGA Tour. As the world No. 1 and a five-time major champion (including the 2021 Women’s PGA Championship, 2022 U.S. Women’s Open, and 2024 Chevron Championship), Korda’s absence would be a significant loss for the event’s prestige and viewership.
For Korda, the move aligns with her growing advocacy for equality in women’s golf. She has been outspoken about the pay gap between the LPGA and PGA Tours, and her comments at the Chevron Championship signal a willingness to take bold action to push for change. “I’m not just playing for myself—I’m playing for the future of this sport,” Korda said in a follow-up interview with Golf Channel. “If that means skipping a tournament to make a point, so be it.”
Korda’s next scheduled event is the Mizuho Americas Open, set for May 15-18, 2025, in Jersey City, New Jersey, where she’ll aim to continue her dominant season. Meanwhile, the golf world will be watching closely to see how the LPGA and Chevron respond to her demands—and whether other players follow her lead in calling for better treatment at major tournaments.
A Turning Point for Women’s Golf?
Nelly Korda’s declaration has thrust the issue of player treatment in women’s golf into the spotlight, raising questions about the sustainability of the LPGA’s current model. As one of the sport’s biggest stars takes a stand, her decision to walk away from the Chevron Championship could mark a turning point in the fight for equality and respect in women’s golf. Whether Korda’s bold move will lead to meaningful change—or simply deepen the divide—remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the world No. 1 is ready to fight for what she believes in, even if it means leaving a major championship behind.