World No.1 Nelly Korda makes her long-awaited return to competition this week at The Annika, live on Sky Sports Golfseeking a fourth title in the event that would earn her a spot in the LPGA Hall of Fame.
Korda will make her first competitive start on the LPGA Tour since the FM Championship in August and first appearance since the Solheim Cup in September.
The 28-year-old is already a three-time winner in her previous six starts at The Annika led by Gainbridge at Pelican Golf Club and is chasing her fifth win of the season.
“Eight weeks — I can’t remember the last time I took that long,” Korda said.
“It was nice, but by the middle I was ready to go. There’s only so many hours you can go out and practice and hit balls.
“I’m really excited to be back. I think it’s more the renewal of being motivated to come back, and sometimes when you play a lot and travel a lot, you start to get a little stuck.
“I’m not saying you’re not driven, but you just get a little tired, a little tired, your body gets a little drained.
“When you take that time to have some time to yourself to recharge your batteries, you’re very motivated to come back and play against the best players in the world and prove yourself.
“I wanted to give my body some rest. I wasn’t feeling too good. The last time I put myself in that position I ended up getting hurt and I was out longer, so I’d say as I’ve gotten older I’ve learned to listen to my body.
“Sometimes I have to take that break. A lot of people might disagree with it. I have to really listen to myself and know what’s best for myself.”
Korda recently won her second player of the year award after another year of excellence.
“Obviously it’s not just me, it’s my whole team behind me.
“I am very grateful and also very grateful to everyone who has been with me through the ups and downs.
“To win it in 2024 and have a bit of a break in 2025 and come back to it in 2026, for me that’s a testament to the people I have behind me through the ups and downs just lift me up.
“I’m honored and I hope this continues to push me forward.”
Hull: I just need to get some shots off
Britain’s Charley Hull has played well at Pelican Golf Club with top-five finishes in the past two seasons, including a runner-up finish to Korda in 2024.
“I only had a week at home after Malaysia (Maybank Championship) and I was almost in bed by 6pm every day,” Hull said on Wednesday.
“The jet lag got the best of me. It’s been foggy and cold at home, but I love that kind of weather, so we’ve just played nine holes and just preparing as much as I can for these two weeks.
“These are my favorite two weeks of the year.
“It would be nice to get a win. Obviously I’ve won the golf circuit next week in 2016 and I’m second here so hopefully I can do that because I love the fortnight.
“I just need to hit some putts. I played really well in Malaysia, but I didn’t play that well. I still had a top 10 finish, but if I just make putts, it should be a good week.
“I’ve just got to go out there and have fun. Play some golf and enjoy it. Win or lose Saturday, Sunday.”
Watch ANNIKA on the LPGA Tour from 4pm on Thursday 12 November exclusively live on Sky Sports Golf. Get the latest Sky Sports offers OR stream without contract.
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