Quick Read
- Nelly Korda and her father Petr scored 12-under 60 in the first round of the 2025 PNC Championship.
- Korda announced her engagement to Casey Gunderson in November 2025, with plans to marry in 2026.
- She plans to scale back her tournament schedule in 2026 to prioritize health and longevity.
- Team Kuchar led round one with a 15-under 57; two women’s teams competed, including Korda’s.
- Korda did not win a tournament in 2025 but maintained consistent top-level performance.
Nelly Korda Makes Her Mark at the 2025 PNC Championship
In Orlando, the annual PNC Championship is more than just a tournament—it’s a celebration of golf’s family ties and generational talent. This year, as fans gathered under clear Florida skies, Nelly Korda reminded everyone why she’s one of the sport’s brightest stars. Teaming up with her father, Petr Korda, the former Australian Open tennis champion, Nelly delivered a performance that was both technically sharp and emotionally resonant.
During round one, Korda showed her mettle, executing a flawless approach for a tap-in eagle—a highlight among a field of celebrated champions and their family members. The scramble format, which lets each team play from the best ball, created a lively, unpredictable atmosphere. While Team Kuchar, led by Matt Kuchar and his son Cameron, seized the lead with a blistering 15-under 57, Korda and her father were hot on their heels at 12-under 60, tied with other top contenders like Steve Stricker and daughter Izzi, and Davis Love III with Dru Love.
What makes the PNC Championship special is not just the scores, but the stories. For Korda, the event is an annual tradition—a chance to swap her tour persona for something more intimate, competing alongside family. “When I’m home, I’m just Nelly,” she reflected to reporters, describing the comfort of stepping away from the spotlight and returning to real-world conversations.
Balancing a Stellar Career with Life Off the Course
Korda’s 2025 season was a study in consistency. While she didn’t claim any tournament victories this year—a stark contrast to her seven-win, one-major haul in 2024—her steady presence at the top of leaderboards proved her resilience. But as she approaches her late twenties, Korda is making deliberate changes to her career rhythm.
She revealed plans to trim her tournament schedule in 2026, targeting around 18 to 20 events and avoiding the grueling four-week stretches that wear down even the strongest athletes. “I’ve seen my body deteriorate over that [four-week period],” Korda admitted, noting the toll that relentless travel and competition can take. Her insight reflects a growing trend among elite athletes: prioritizing longevity and mental health over relentless pursuit.
“Golf is already tough mentally, and then flying cross country, traveling by yourself, sleeping in a different bed—I’m getting to the age where I’m feeling that now,” she explained. It’s a candid acknowledgment of the demands placed on modern sports stars, and a sign of maturity from one of golf’s most marketable figures.
Personal Milestones: Engagement and Family Ties
Beyond the fairways, 2025 marked a turning point in Korda’s personal life. In November, she announced her engagement to Casey Gunderson, a former college football player and longtime friend. The proposal itself was steeped in tradition and warmth: Gunderson visited the Korda family home bearing fruit-filled dumplings and formally asked Petr and Regina Korda for their blessing before getting down on one knee at the beach.
“He knows what he’s doing,” Nelly joked, her happiness evident as she recounted the story. For Korda, the relationship is a safe haven—one where she’s not “Nelly the golfer,” but simply herself. “I’m just, like, listening to real world problems when I’m home. He’s honestly the best supporter too, so I’m extremely lucky.” The couple plans to marry in 2026, coinciding with another Korda wedding: her brother Sebastian, a tennis pro, will wed his longtime girlfriend Ivana Nedved.
Asked if Gunderson shares her passion for golf, Nelly laughed: “No, thank God. I’ve seen his swing twice, and that’s all I needed to see. No, I’m kidding, he’s very athletic.” It’s a glimpse into the playful, down-to-earth side of one of golf’s most watched athletes.
The Championship Atmosphere: Family, Rivalry, and Resilience
This year’s PNC Championship was rich with stories. Team Kuchar’s lead was driven by the younger Cameron, whose tally of “solo birdies” outpaced his father’s. John Daly and his son, past champions, remained in contention, with Daly II’s clutch shots keeping the pressure high. Meanwhile, Gary Woodland, the event’s lone newcomer, made his return to competition after brain surgery, playing alongside his father, a cancer survivor—a testament to golf’s power to unite and heal.
Among the 20 teams, two featured women: Nelly Korda and Annika Sorenstam, both competing alongside their fathers or sons. Their presence underscored the evolving face of golf, where female champions are no longer exceptions, but leaders and role models in their own right.
The final round promised a sprint to the finish, with the scramble format ensuring drama and excitement. The Willie Park Trophy—a red belt awarded to the winners—was still up for grabs as families and legends vied for one more moment in the spotlight.
Nelly Korda’s journey through the 2025 PNC Championship reflects more than athletic prowess; it’s a portrait of a modern athlete negotiating the demands of sport and the joys of personal life. Her ability to balance consistency on the course with meaningful milestones off it shows that success in golf, as in life, is about more than just the scorecard—it’s about finding rhythm, resilience, and connection. As Korda looks ahead to a new chapter, she’s setting an example for athletes everywhere: sometimes, the most powerful moves happen off the green.