Why Doesn't Nelly Korda Play the LPGA's Asia Swing?

Seventy-four. That’s how many LPGA rounds have been played in Asia since world No. 1 Nelly Korda last teed it up on the continent at the 2023 Maybank Championship. For a major tour composed of a global talent base, with 21 percent of the tournaments taking place in the eastern hemisphere, not showing up is quite the statement from not only the best player in the world, but one of the LPGA’s most marketable stars. While Nelly has been building Legos with the Jonas Brothers on a podcast, a majority of her colleagues have been competing in South Korea this week, arguably the biggest hotbed for women’s golf popularity worldwide. 

LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler has often referenced players “buying in” as one of his talking points to show the direction of his initiatives. But having your best player and biggest star sitting out for nearly a quarter of your schedule — held in places where some of the tour’s biggest sponsors and, more importantly, fans reside — is a big problem that shouldn't be overlooked. 

Hosting tournaments in Asia isn't new for the LPGA, which began holding co-sanctioned events in Japan in the mid-1970s. Se Ri Pak's breakout U.S. Women's Open victory in 1998 ignited a massive growth in Asian interest in the LPGA. The tour took advantage of fresh markets in the 2000s, expanding its events into the Far East, leading to the current schedule that features two separate Asian swings in both the spring and fall, totaling seven events. Traditionally, the events didn’t have a cut, and the reduced fields were based on a player’s world ranking or money list position. Players viewed them as a reward or bonus for a good season. Sadly, in the new LPGA era of expanding purses and opportunities, some of the top LPGA stars are moving away from that sentiment. Without a forced appearance requirement, the Asian swing has become more of a suggestion versus something players feel compelled to play. 

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Nelly’s position on skipping the Asian events has evolved over the last few years. In 2024, she wanted to use the spring Asian swing as an extended break from the hectic winter golf schedule, a real off-season to recharge and prepare. Now I’d contend that approach is mostly self-inflicted, as Nelly chose to participate in winter silly-season cash grabs at the Grant Thornton and PNC Championship following the LPGA CME Championship, prioritizing the hit-and-giggles over LPGA events. That said, Nelly’s 2024 season was prolific. She won five consecutive events to start the year, including the season’s first major. However, that hot start fizzled out mid-season, and she went on to sit out the fall Asian swing due to a nagging neck injury. 

After the injury in 2024, Nelly began preaching load management and took a strong stance to make sure her schedule put her in the best position to compete during a busy LPGA summer major season. She finally commented on the subject directly at this year’s U.S. Women’s Open after a disappointing 2025: “I didn't go to Asia. I took that time off to really get my body ready, spend some time in the gym, didn't touch my clubs for a little bit. Then when I thought I was ready, I started really grinding on my game. That's kind of what I've been doing for the past three or four years.” 

Another point of contention for Nelly — one that I agree with — is that the flow and cadence of the current LPGA schedule is far too choppy. Finding a better way to serve those large Asian markets with the top players is something that needs to be addressed. 

Nelly taking a pass on Asia has clearly become a strategic decision, and it has proven effective looking at her success the last few seasons. But at what cost? Her scheduling will cost her the season's Vare Trophy for best scoring average, leaving a very valuable Hall of Fame point on the table as she won't meet the minimum number of rounds required to be eligible for the award. Another cost is much greater: a sizable portion of the LPGA’s revenue is tied to international TV rights. If the tour's biggest star isn't willing to appear in those markets, what message is that communicating to those title sponsors? 

In the end, whether we agree or not, the choice to play is solely Nelly’s. Sometimes the best athletes have to make selfish decisions in order to perform their best at a consistent clip. But at the same time, don’t they also carry some responsibility to be the best possible representative of their league? Nelly has been pretty clear she doesn't want to be the one who carries the tour’s plight on her shoulders. That approach could be what actually helps the LPGA get out of its own way. Given Nelly’s line of thinking, I’m not so sure.