Nelly Korda knows what it takes to win the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
She also knows how much hard work it’s going to take if she’s going to do it again this year.
Korda is one of six past champions in the field at this week’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, and as she returns from injury her competitive fire is burning stronger.
Korda, who won the KPMG Women’s PGA last year by three at Atlanta Athletic Club, ascended to No.1 in the world after capturing her maiden major title.
“That has a lovely ring to it, not going to lie,” said Korda after her victory last summer.
“But I just can’t believe it. I’m still in shock.”
Korda had surgery earlier this year and has been recovering from a blood clot in her left arm. She made her return at the U.S. Women’s Open and teed it up at last week’s Meijer LPGA Classic, where she lost in a playoff.
1⃣ DAY & the #KPMGWomensPGA is BACK with unbelievable play like this shot by Defending Champion @NellyKorda! pic.twitter.com/4HPAKy1u1Z
— KPMG Women's PGA Championship (@KPMGWomensPGA) June 19, 2022
“Unfortunately, sometimes you have it and sometimes you don't,” said Korda. “If you told me I think three, four months ago when I was in the ER that I would be here I would being extremely happy.”
Now she’s looking to win her second KPMG Women’s PGA. If she does, she’ll join a group of seven golfers who have achieved that feat already.
There has not been a second-time winner of the KPMG Women’s PGA since Inbee Park won three in a row from 2013-15.
Park is one of the past champions in the field this week as well, along with Hannah Green, Brooke Henderson, Sei Young Kim. Cristie Kerr, and Anna Nordqvist.
If Park were to win this week it would mark her fourth KPMG Women’s PGA Championship title – tied for the most all time with Mickey Wright.
Perhaps the most notable from the last – at least in terms of recent form – is Henderson, who won in her KPMG Women’s PGA Championship title in 2016. The Canadian won for the 11th time on the LPGA Tour at the ShopRite LPGA Classic two weeks ago and finished tied for 10th last week at the Meijer LPGA Classic.
“I don't think you could ask for a better start leading into a major, so that's really good,” said Henderson. “Hopefully I can just rest up the next couple days and be ready to go on Thursday.”
Nordqvist, meanwhile, hasn’t missed a cut yet this season, Green finished runner-up at the DIO Implant LA Open, Kim has three top-20 results in 2022, and Kerr is coming into the week off her best finish of the season – a tie for 12th at the Meijer LPGA Classic.
There’s plenty of firepower in the field this week at Congressional Country Club, but the six past champions all know what it takes to get it done on the biggest stage in women’s golf.
Now they’re trying to do it again.
