Yes — Nelly Korda is World No. 1 right now. She reclaimed the top spot in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings on April 27, 2026, after winning the Chevron Championship in Houston with a dominant wire-to-wire performance.
Korda had lost the No. 1 ranking in August 2025 after going winless for the full 2025 season, handing Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul the top position. But she bounced back in powerful fashion in 2026, winning the season-opener and then storming to her third major title at the Chevron — returning herself to the summit of women’s golf for the seventh time in her career.
Here is everything you need to know about Nelly Korda’s current ranking, her record-breaking career, and what comes next.
Current Rolex World Rankings — Updated April 2026
| Rank | Player | Country | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nelly Korda | USA 🇺🇸 | World No. 1 — returned April 27, 2026 |
| 2 | Jeeno Thitikul | Thailand 🇹🇭 | Held No. 1 from August 2025 to April 2026 |
| 3 | Charley Hull | England 🏴 | Top 3 ranking |
Source: Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings — April 2026
Early Life and Family Legacy
Nelly Korda was born on July 28, 1998, in Bradenton, Florida. She comes from a family of elite athletes.
Her father, Petr Korda, won the 1998 Australian Open in tennis. Her brother Sebastian plays professional tennis, and her sister Jessica is also an LPGA Tour golfer.
Amateur Stardom
Korda developed her skills at the IMG Academy in her hometown. She showed massive potential early on.
She made the cut at the U.S. Women’s Open when she was only 14 years old. By 2015, she represented the United States at the Junior Solheim Cup.
Professional Debut and Early Wins
Korda turned professional in 2016 and joined the Symetra Tour. She won her first professional event at the Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge.
In 2018, she secured her first LPGA Tour victory at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship. This win made her and Jessica the third pair of sisters to win LPGA titles.
Breaking Through in 2021
The 2021 season changed everything for Korda. She established herself as a global superstar.
She won her first major at the Women’s PGA Championship. This major victory moved her straight to World No. 1 for the first time in her career.
Olympic Gold Medalist
Adding to her 2021 success, Korda traveled to the Tokyo Summer Olympics. She competed fiercely for the United States.
She secured the gold medal in the individual stroke play event. Her became the first American female golfer to win individual gold since 1900.
Health Battles in 2022
Adversity struck in early 2022 when Korda suffered a blood clot in her arm. This medical issue required surgery and a pause in her career.
She missed the Chevron Championship but returned for the U.S. Women’s Open. Despite the setback, she quickly found her competitive form again.
The Dominant 2024 Season
Korda put together one of the most dominant seasons women’s golf had seen in a generation throughout 2024. She captured seven total LPGA Tour victories.
This incredible streak included five consecutive tournament wins. Her fifth straight win was her second major championship at the Chevron Championship.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Her four straight tournament wins from four starts made history. She became the first player to achieve this feat since Lorena Ochoa in 2008.
Winning five consecutive starts put her in elite company. Only Annika Sörenstam and Nancy Lopez had accomplished this on the LPGA Tour previously.
Winning the Solheim Cup
Team competitions always bring out Korda’s competitive spirit. Her represented the United States at the 2024 Solheim Cup in Virginia.
She won three of her four matches, helping her team secure a 15.5 to 12.5 victory over Europe. She finished the year winning the LPGA Tour Player of the Year award.
The Shift in 2025
The 2025 season presented new challenges for Korda. She struggled to find the winner’s circle despite strong finishes.
She recorded multiple top-ten finishes, including a runner-up spot at the U.S. Women’s Open. However, her winless drought caused her to lose the World No. 1 ranking to Jeeno Thitikul in August 2025.
Reaching a Historic Milestone
Even without a victory in 2025, Korda achieved a massive career landmark. In June 2025, she reached 100 career weeks as world number one.
She became only the sixth female player in golf history to reach this milestone. This cemented her legacy as one of the most consistent players of her generation.
Bouncing Back in 2026
Korda refused to let 2025 define her. She opened the 2026 season at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Orlando and won — her first LPGA Tour victory since late 2024. The event was shortened to 54 holes due to weather, but the win sent an immediate signal to the rest of the tour: she was back.
She then finished runner-up at three consecutive events — the Fortinet Founders Cup, the Ford Championship, and the Aramco Championship — before heading to the Chevron, where she took the third major of her career and returned to the top of the world rankings.
How Nelly Korda Reclaimed World No. 1 at the 2026 Chevron Championship
The 2026 Chevron Championship at Memorial Park in Houston was the moment Korda put any doubts about her form firmly to rest.
She took the lead on the 16th hole of her opening round by hitting a five-iron to five feet for birdie — and she never gave it back. She led after every single round, becoming the first player in 35 years to go wire-to-wire in a major while holding a multiple-shot lead after each round.
Korda closed the final round with a 2-under 70, winning by five shots from China’s Yin Ruoning and Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit. It was the biggest winning margin at the Chevron Championship in 18 years.
The victory was her third major championship, her 17th LPGA Tour title, and her 21st professional win worldwide. On Monday April 28, 2026, the Rolex Rankings updated — and Nelly Korda was back at World No. 1 for the seventh time in her career.
“Just amazing,” Korda said after the win. “It hasn’t really settled in yet but what a week.”
Korda’s 2026 Season: One of the Most Dominant Starts in LPGA History
The Chevron win was just part of a stunning 2026 run. In her first six starts of the season, Korda recorded three wins and three runner-up finishes — finishing no lower than second in any event. She joined Annika Sorenstam in 2001 as the only players since 1980 to start an LPGA season with six consecutive top-two finishes.
She is also now just five points away from qualifying for the LPGA Hall of Fame — a milestone that could arrive before the 2026 season is done.
Career Statistics and Major Performances
Korda’s career numbers are staggering. She has won 21 professional titles across multiple tours — 17 of them on the LPGA Tour. Her three major championships put her in elite company as the only American woman to win three majors since Meg Mallon in 2000. Here is a look at her best results in the five major championships.
| Major Championship | Best Result | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Chevron Championship | Won × 2 | 2024, 2026 |
| Women’s PGA Championship | Won | 2021 |
| U.S. Women’s Open | T2 | 2025 |
| Women’s British Open | T2 | 2024 |
| Evian Championship | T8 | 2022 |
Nelly Korda vs Jeeno Thitikul — The No. 1 Ranking Battle Explained
The fight for World No. 1 between Nelly Korda and Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul has been the defining story of women’s golf heading into 2026.
Thitikul first became World No. 1 in October 2022, becoming the first Thai golfer ever to reach the top of the rankings. Korda then reclaimed the position in March 2024 and held it for 71 consecutive weeks — the fifth-longest streak in rankings history — before losing it to Thitikul again in August 2025 after going winless for the entire 2025 season.
Thitikul extended her lead at the top by winning twice in the fall of 2025, including the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. But her form dipped in early 2026, and when she missed the cut at the 2026 Chevron Championship — the same week Korda won the title — the rankings flipped back.
As of May 2026, Korda is firmly back on top. The two remain the clear top two players in women’s golf and every major for the rest of 2026 will be watched closely with that battle in mind.
Nelly Korda World No. 1 Record — All Her Stints at the Top
Korda has now reached World No. 1 seven separate times in her career. In total she has spent 109 weeks at the top of the Rolex Rankings — placing her joint fourth alongside Yani Tseng on the all-time list. The record belongs to Jin Young Ko with 163 weeks.
Personal Life Updates
Off the golf course, Korda maintains a relatively private life. She enjoys time with her athletic family.
In November 2025, she announced her engagement to Casey Gunderson. She also made a fun cameo appearance in the 2025 comedy film Happy Gilmore 2.
Endorsements and Financial Success
Korda is highly marketable and commands significant endorsement deals. She frequently appears on lists of top-earning female athletes.
In 2024, Sportico named her the 8th highest-earning female athlete globally. Her combined prize money and endorsements totaled an estimated $14.4 million.
What’s Next for Nelly Korda in 2026?
Nelly Korda starts the second half of 2026 as World No. 1, a three-time major champion, and arguably playing the most consistent golf of her career. In five starts this year, she has not finished outside the top two — a run that puts her alongside Annika Sorenstam for the most dominant opening stretch by any LPGA player in the modern era.
The next target on her calendar is the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles — the one major she has spoken about wanting most. The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine National follows in June.
She is also five points from LPGA Hall of Fame induction. The summer of 2026 could be the defining chapter of one of the greatest careers in women’s golf.
Keep up with the latest LPGA Tour rankings, major championship previews, and women’s golf news right here at Madknows — your home for everything golf, for every level of player.
Nelly Korda World Ranking — Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Nelly Korda is currently World No. 1 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings as of April 27, 2026. She reclaimed the top spot by winning the 2026 Chevron Championship in Houston with a five-shot victory.
Korda has spent a total of 109 weeks at World No. 1 across seven separate stints at the top of the Rolex Rankings. Her longest single run was 71 consecutive weeks, which ended in August 2025.
Nelly Korda has won three major championships: the 2021 Women’s PGA Championship, the 2024 Chevron Championship, and the 2026 Chevron Championship. She became the first American woman to win three majors since Meg Mallon in 2000.
Korda went winless throughout the entire 2025 LPGA season. Her ranking dropped steadily and after a disappointing result at the 2025 AIG Women’s Open in August, Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul officially overtook her at the top of the Rolex Rankings.
Yes. As of 2026, Korda needs just five more points to meet the LPGA Hall of Fame qualification requirement. With her current form and multiple majors, she could achieve this landmark before the 2026 season ends.