In a year that could only be described as golfโs equivalent of a Hollywood blockbuster, Nelly Korda has once again proven why sheโs the name on everyoneโs lipsโespecially after her latest accolade, the 2024 Rolex ANNIKA Major Award (RAMA).
After finishing tied for second at the Old Course at St Andrews, where the wind was as fierce as a caddie’s advice after a bad shot, Korda wrapped up a season thatโll be talked about in golf circles for years.
Now, letโs get something straight. This isnโt just some shiny trinket they hand out for showing up.
The RAMA is the LPGAโs way of saying, โYou dominated the majors, and we noticed.โ And dominate she did. With her Chevron Championship win earlier this year, Korda didnโt just stroll into the history booksโshe kicked the door down.
That victory was her fifth straight, tying her with legends like Annika Sorenstam and Nancy Lopez for the most consecutive wins on the LPGA Tour. Not bad for a dayโs work, right?
But why stop at five? Korda went on to snag a sixth win at the Mizuho Americas Open, putting her in a rarefied air occupied by only a few players in the tourโs long history.
In fact, she became the fourth player ever to notch six wins before the calendar hit June, and only the third American to pull off such a feat since 1980.
The last time anyone was this dominant, Beth Daniel was winning seven times back in 1990.
For context, that was the same year Nelson Mandela was released from prisonโso, yeah, itโs been a while.
Now, the RAMA isnโt just a popularity contest. Points are awarded based on performance in all five major championships. And to even be eligible, youโve got to win at least one major.
Korda, of course, checked that box with her Chevron victory. By the time the seasonโs last major, the AIG Womenโs Open, rolled around, there were only 18 players still in the running for the RAMA.
But in the end, it was Korda who stood tall, proving that consistency in golf is as elusive as finding a fairway on a windy day at St Andrews.
Hereโs how the 2024 RAMA leaderboard shook out:
2024 RAMA Leaderboard:
- Nelly Korda – 84 points (1 Major Win)
- Ayaka Furue – 70 points (1 Major Win)
- Yuka Saso – 60 points (1 Major Win)
- Amy Yang – 60 points (1 Major Win)
- Lydia Ko – 60 points (1 Major Win)
With this victory, Korda became the 10th different player to win the award since it was first handed out in 2014.
She joins a star-studded list that includes Michelle Wie West, who won the inaugural award, and last yearโs winner, Lilia Vu.
Kordaโs hardware will be officially presented during the Rolex LPGA Awards at the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship in Novemberโa fitting end to a season where sheโs done nothing but win.
So, whatโs next for Nelly Korda? Well, if this season is any indication, the skyโs the limit.
As she continues to rack up wins and trophies, one thingโs for sure: weโre all just lucky to be along for the ride.
