It’s often said that champions are made when no one is watching, but in golf, it’s the dedication to practice in the most challenging conditions that truly separates the extraordinary from the merely great. When most players would seek shelter, some elite athletes push themselves to train in environments that mimic the worst possible tournament scenarios.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda proved this point in spectacular fashion yesterday when she shared a video that left the golf world both amazed and bewildered. She posted the footage on her Instagram on March 6, showing herself practicing tee shots in apocalyptic conditions—heavy rain pouring down while fierce winds howled in the background. “This is some British Open weather,” she captioned, seemingly unbothered by the elemental assault that would send most recreational golfers sprinting to the clubhouse.
For Korda, practicing in adverse conditions isn’t just about showing off—it’s strategic preparation. Her approach to challenging weather has been methodical throughout her career, with a particular emphasis on developing creative shot-making skills that prove crucial in tournaments like the British Open. “You can prepare all you want, but then it’s all about the weather,” Korda once noted during practice rounds at St. Andrews, where she intentionally played in varying conditions to experience the course’s full range of challenges.
This dedication to all-weather preparation aligns perfectly with Korda’s renowned work ethic. She structures her practice routine meticulously—starting warm-ups exactly 65 minutes before tee time and finishing 18 holes in just two hours to simulate tournament focus. Her coach, Jamie Mulligan, works to curb what he playfully calls “Nelly things”—her tendency to overanalyze her game. Korda’s dominance has become so overwhelming that fellow LPGA pro Hannah Green recently admitted she’s set her sights on the World No. 2 spot instead, stating that “with Nelly winning as many times as she did last year, I don’t think I can achieve No. 1 unless I win the same amount of times.” The gap between Korda and the second-ranked player is reportedly larger than the gap between the second and 45th-ranked players—a testament to her unparalleled command of the sport.
Golf community reacts to Nelly Korda with admiration and humor
The video quickly caught the attention of PGA Tour star Justin Thomas, who couldn’t hide his disbelief at Korda’s extreme dedication. “Ffs Nelly…. We play golf for a living. Go inside ,” Thomas commented, perfectly capturing the mixture of respect and bewilderment felt by many watching the world’s top female golfer willingly subject herself to such harsh conditions.
Even Nelly’s sister, Jessica Korda, had a succinct recommendation for her younger sibling: “Go home,” she wrote, with the sisterly concern palpable through the screen. The comment section filled with fans defending Nelly’s dedication, with one replying to Thomas, “this is why shes winning tournaments ,” while another invoked Kobe Bryant’s famous work ethic: “She has that mamba mentality!! “
These reactions underscore the golf community’s reverence for Korda’s exceptional commitment. Beyond the humorous exchanges, fans flooded the comments with admiration. “,” wrote one enthusiast, while another supporter commented, “Way To Go Nelly .” Perhaps most tellingly, one fan captured the essence of Korda’s reputation: “Rain or shine- she trains. epic .” This perception of Korda as someone who never makes excuses has contributed to her intimidating presence on tour, where her average ranking points of 11.55 create such a wide gap that fellow LPGA pro Hannah Green recently admitted she’s targeting World No. 2 instead, stating that “with Nelly winning as many times as she did last year, I don’t think I can achieve No. 1 unless I win the same amount of times.“
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