Nelly Korda Withdraws from 2025 Chevron Championship Due to Heartbreaking Wrist Injury
The Woodlands, Texas, April 21, 2025 – The golfing world is reeling from the devastating news that World No. 1 Nelly Korda will miss the 2025 Chevron Championship, the first major of the LPGA season, due to a severe wrist injury. Korda, who made history last year by tying the LPGA record with five consecutive victories, including the 2024 Chevron Championship, announced the heartbreaking reason for her withdrawal on social media, prompting an outpouring of condolences from teammates, fans, and the golf community.
Korda revealed that she sustained the wrist injury during a recent training session, describing it as a significant setback that requires immediate rest and rehabilitation. “I’m absolutely gutted to share that I won’t be able to compete at the Chevron Championship this year,” Korda posted on X. “A wrist injury has made it impossible for me to play without risking further damage. This event means so much to me, and I’m heartbroken to miss it. Thank you all for your support—I’ll be back stronger.” The announcement comes as a shock, given Korda’s dominant 2024 season, where she claimed seven titles, including her second major at Carlton Woods, and solidified her status as the LPGA’s brightest star.
The injury adds to Korda’s history of health challenges, including a blood clot in her arm in 2022, a back injury in 2023, and a neck injury that forced her to withdraw from the BMW Ladies Championship and Maybank Championship in October 2024. Despite these setbacks, Korda’s resilience has been a hallmark of her career, making her absence from the Chevron Championship—a tournament she won in record-tying fashion last year—particularly poignant.
Fellow LPGA players expressed their sorrow and support. Lydia Ko, the 2024 AIG Women’s Open champion, posted on X, “Sending all my love to @NellyKorda. You’re the toughest out there, and we’ll be cheering for your recovery.” Brooke Henderson, who finished tied for third at last year’s Chevron, added, “Nelly’s an inspiration, and this is just a bump in the road. Get well soon!” Fans on X echoed the sentiment, with one writing, “Heartbroken for Nelly Korda. Her Chevron win last year was iconic. Wishing her a speedy recovery.” Another posted, “Golf isn’t the same without Nelly. Praying for her wrist to heal fast.”
Korda’s withdrawal leaves a void in the Chevron Championship, set to begin April 24 at The Club at Carlton Woods. Her 2024 victory, where she shot a 13-under 275 to outlast Maja Stark by two strokes, marked her as only the third player in LPGA history—alongside Nancy Lopez (1978) and Annika Sorenstam (2004-05)—to win five straight tournaments. Her absence opens the door for contenders like Ko, Hannah Green, and Rose Zhang, but the tournament will miss Korda’s star power and her tradition of leaping into Poppie’s Pond after victory.
Medical experts consulted by Korda’s team have advised a conservative approach, with a recovery timeline of at least six weeks, potentially impacting her participation in the JM Eagle LA Championship and the Founders Cup. Korda, ever optimistic, vowed to focus on rehabilitation, stating, “I’m taking it day by day and working hard to come back better than ever.”
As the LPGA season unfolds, Korda’s absence from the Chevron Championship serves as a reminder of the physical toll of professional golf. The golfing world now rallies behind the 26-year-old American, hoping to see her return to the fairways soon, swinging with the brilliance that has defined her career. For now, fans and players alike send their condolences and best wishes for a swift recovery to one of the game’s greatest talents.