2025 Season: A Grind Without Trophies
Korda's 2025 LPGA campaign was a stark contrast to her 2024 dominance, ending without a win despite entering as the favorite. She described it as 'a grind,' emphasizing that success is never linear. Statistically, she improved off the tee and with putting compared to the prior year, leading the U.S. Women's Open in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green.
Key highlights included runner-up finishes at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions and U.S. Women's Open, plus T5 at events like Mizuho Americas Open. She reached 100 weeks as World No. 1 in June, though Jeeno Thitikul overtook her in August. At the CME Group Tour Championship, her third-place finish added $550,000 to her tally.
Despite no trophies, Korda took pride in staying healthy and refining her game. The season mirrored golf's fine margins, with flashes of brilliance amid frustrations common to pros.
The Shot That Defined Her Regret
One moment haunts Korda: her approach on the 18th hole at the U.S. Women's Open at Erin Hills. Trailing Maja Stark by three, she struck what she called her best shot of the year, but adrenaline sent it 10 yards too long and left, into a hazard she had avoided all week. This 'heartbreaker' cost her a major breakthrough.
The U.S. Women's Open has long challenged Korda, with past rounds like 80s at Pebble Beach and Lancaster. In 2025, patience fueled her contention, but the final swing underscored the tournament's torment. A win there would have redefined her career more than her 2024 triumphs.
Post-event, her season blended solid play with mediocre major results elsewhere, culminating in T2 at the Grant Thornton Invitational with Denny McCarthy.
Earnings, Engagement & 2026 Outlook
Financially, 2025 was robust: $2.97 million from on-course earnings, including $1.05M for T2 at the U.S. Women's Open and $227,854 at Tournament of Champions. This trailed her $4.4M in 2024 but affirmed her elite status, bolstered by endorsements from Nike and TaylorMade.
Off the course, Korda announced her engagement to Casey Gunderson after the season, adding a bright note. She headlines early commitments for The ANNIKA in November 2025, aiming for a fourth win there.
Looking ahead, Korda draws from her 2023 winless year that preceded 2024's explosion. Focusing on controllables and support networks, she remains poised for resurgence.