World No. 1 Korda excited to play in front of Tiger

“Pretty cool,” says World No. 1 Nelly Korda when asked what it is going to be like playing in front of former long-time men’s No. 1 Tiger Woods at this week’s PNC Championship.

Korda is competing in the event for the first time and is partnered with her 53-year-old 1996 Australian Open winning father, Petr in the event again being staged on the Ritz Carlton course in suburban Orlando.

Korda moved to World No.1 in June 2021 following her Women’s PGA win (Credit: LPGA Tour)

The Korda’s have been drawn to tee-up Saturday in the penultimate and the 19th match of the first day alongside John Daly and his son and with the Woods pairing of Tiger and his son, Charlie out in the final group alongside the defending champion duo of Justin Thomas and his father, Mike.

It prompted Nelly, who went to World No. 1 at the end of June in capturing the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, to be asked her thoughts knowing fellow former long-time men’s World No. 1 Woods will be right behind her and her father.

“Playing right in front of Tiger Woods is pretty cool too. I’m not going to lie. I’m being a little selfish here, but that’s pretty cool”, she said.

“We’ve been looking forward to this event for a really long time, and I’ve been telling my dad, I’m like it’s my offseason. Like you’re the star of the show. It’s your time to shine. So you’re going to be — he’s going to be the one dropping bombs.”

“But I think we’re just really happy to be here together, and hopefully we make some good memories.”

Her tennis pro father Petr Korda got as high as men’s World No. 2 in February, 1998 and six-years earlier had been a finalist in the 1992 French Open.

He was asked if he felt any pressure following his daughter’s remarks.

“Definitely looking — you know, playing with Nelly, it’s creating some new memories, and it’s also a great honour, I believe, for the women’s golf to be in the same event with other players, other greats, from Mr. Nicklaus, Palmer, Trevino and other guys”, he said.

It prompted Nelly to add: “Tiger Woods”

“So it will be special. I told Nelly, I’m the tennis player. I feel like I don’t belong over here. I’ll try my best, and hopefully she’s not going to be disappointed.”