THE MODERATOR: All right, very pleased to be joined by Nelly Korda here at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. How does it feel to kickoff the 2025 season here again at Lake Nona?
NELLY KORDA: Yeah, it's one of my favorite events of the year getting to play alongside celebrities, former athletes, athletes. It's a really fun and unique event.
No better way to start off the year than also playing so close to home.
Q. Just take us through the off-season. What did you do? What did you work on? Anything fun?
NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I mean, I didn't finish playing until the 22nd of December. Played with my dad, so that was a nice way to finish the year. Put the clubs away for a little bit for that last week this December and then started practicing again with a bit of a quick turnaround.
But didn't really practice on anything too specific. Tried to dial in the driver a little bit more. The Qi35 which I'm playing -- going to put in play this week for the first time.
Just a little bit of equipment changes, but, yeah, other than that, not really anything.
Q. Nelly, you have kind of the latest finish of any player on tour because of the PNC. You had the chance to get a little bit of extra break with the change in schedule this year. Was that beneficial in terms of getting a chance it reset?
NELLY KORDA: As in moving this tournament one week back?
Q. Uh-huh.
NELLY KORDA: Yeah, it's nice when you do get a little bit of time off, especially around the holidays when everyone is home, spend some time with family. I only probably took seven days off after, so that was kind of my off-season, was seven days.
But I'm not going to Asia this year, so I'll have a little bit of time off there as well.
Q. Almost sounds like there is almost a continuation of 2024.
NELLY KORDA: I guess, yeah. No, I mean, obviously I was happy that we didn't play last week because of the weather. It's so much warmer this week.
But yeah, I mean, it's nice to play at home, so close to home in Florida. My last six events have been in Florida, so there is no better way to do that.
Q. I was going to ask, how important not only this week is, but just this two-week stretch because you have the Founders Cup next week?
NELLY KORDA: Yeah, it's nice to play in front of family and friends and nice to play with past athletes, current athletes and celebrities. It's a different, relaxed vibe, and no better way to start off the year than playing in this event.
Q. You had such an incredible season last year, a dream season.
NELLY KORDA: Yeah.
Q. What about this year with your expectations? How do you alter that? Do you think about what you did last year and how does that affect your approach this season?
NELLY KORDA: I mean, last year is last year. When it comes to defending titles, I mean, the field is different. There is different girls in the field. Weather is different. Golf course could be different. There are so many variabilities that just completely changes it.
I try not to take that approach of I'm defending and just take the approach of this is a new week, new opportunity, and I'm prepared. I'm going to prepare my hardest and go into the week with a positive attitude.
Q. I wanted to ask you an overall question about the LPGA with the organization in transition looking for a new commissioner. What would be your ideal scenario for the LPGA in terms of schedule, prize money?
NELLY KORDA: When it comes to schedule, just the flow in it. When we're on the west coast having a flow in the west coast schedule, having all our events kind of aligned so we're not traveling from coast to coast in the U.S. I think with scheduling it's just about making it a little easier for us with travel.
Then obviously trying to grow the game as many ways as possible, being put on primetime TV, people investing in us and seeing our product. I think all you need is an opportunity and hopefully we can continue getting those.
Q. Speaking of schedule, with winning seven times last year you have a lot of events I would imagine already circled. How are you plotting your schedule for 2025?
NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I think there is a great flow in it. You start off the year in Florida with the two events. I'm not going to play Asia. Going to go to the west coast, start in Arizona, Vegas, and then you want to be primed for the majors, right?
So scheduling around there, and then on top of that, you have to make sure that your body is 100%. So last year I had an injury towards the end of the year. So close. (Laughter.)
So that's going to be my number one goal, is just to stay healthy. If my body is not feeling 100% then I'm not going to push it.
Q. Have you made any adjustments to your schedule for 2025 with that in mind or just see how it goes?
NELLY KORDA: I'll see how it goes. I kind of have the first part of year until Chevron kind of set. After that it'll be just how my body is feeling.
Q. Are there any celebrities you're looking forward to meeting or playing with this week?
NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I heard that George Lopez is playing for the first time. I think that's exciting. I watched a bunch of shows with him in it growing up.
And then my usual, I love playing with Derek Lowe, Kevin Millar, Chris Lane, too. I really like him. I usually request them. We'll see if I play with them.
But I just love this event because you can create such great friendships and every year come back and very excited to see everyone.
Q. Happy New Year. What have you learned in recent years about managing expectations?
NELLY KORDA: I mean, I just think that it's whatever pressure you put on yourself. I would say that golf is just very different where there are a lot of variabilities, the course is playing different, you have different types of weather you're playing in from this year to the past years.
On top of that there is a different field every year.
For me it's going in with a positive attitude and knowing my work is done and I'm just going to enjoy myself. Because the added pressure never really helps, and it just kind of takes away from the fun that you can have while playing.
Q. You had a short off-season. Do you feel refreshed and did you do the dog sledding in Utah?
NELLY KORDA: I did. I did. That was more of like a one and done situation. It was really cool experience, but I will probably never be doing that ever again. But it was really cool.
Yeah, I feel refreshed. I went to the mountains for almost an entire week, and spent some time at home, cooked some meals in my own kitchen. That was really nice.
It's been nice. The past couple months actually ending the season in Florida and beginning in Florida you get to spend a little bit more time at home. Spending time around family always kind of reenergizes my batteries.
Q. So does defending at home feel a little bit like a mini major to you going back to Bradenton?
NELLY KORDA: I think I'm just going to have a lot of fun. Hopefully we get -- last year the crowds were amazing so hopefully they come out again this year.
There is no better feeling than playing in front of family and friends, and playing in front of a home crowd. So I'm just going to soak all that up and try to take it a shot at a time and see where the week takes me.
Q. Have you been back to Bradenton Country Club?
NELLY KORDA: I have not. I wanted to go last week or the week before but the weather was just so bad. On top of that, playing in Florida this time of year, it's like either you have to go out at 7:30 in the morning or go out at 3:00 a.m.
I usually play solo, so very fast, and with the weather this past week I did not want to tee off at 7:30 in the morning.
Q. I don't blame you. With this now being the Founders Cup and the 75 year anniversary of the Tour, what does the significance of that milestone mean to you?
NELLY KORDA: Yeah, it's just about appreciating the people that were here and growing the game before you. I think the Founders Cup, wherever it was or wherever it is, I think it's just about the appreciation of the Pioneers and what they did to bring the game to what it is today.
Q. Hey, Nelly, I know last year was just a whirlwind all the way through from the golf course to off the golf course. For you, how proud are you of yourself for handling all of that, being in the biggest spotlights in the world and then also being in the big spotlights in golf?
NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I mean, it was a year of definitely learning. I learned more about myself. I put myself in uncomfortable positions but I saw a lot of growth in that.
And then, yeah, I think it was also a year where I appreciated the people around me, the people that were very close to me a lot more, my core people and people I can lean on through the ups and downs.
I just last year was definitely a very, very, very crazy year, but it was -- I'm also very grateful for the ups and downs because I think I learned a lot more about myself.
Q. Where did you see like the biggest growth in yourself? Just managing the ups and downs, or was there something you're like, oh, dang, I really grew in that area across the whole of 2024?
NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I think it was just like being more confident in who I am as a person. Like not conforming to what people want me to be. Be who I want to be. Just seeing more confidence in just myself and also knowing like that I have an amazing group of people around me that I appreciate so much.
Q. Couple quick questions for you. First of all, you talked about getting in some cooking. What's your go-to meal you're famous for?
NELLY KORDA: I've been cooking a lot of goulash, and then in Florida I cook a lot of white fish, too. So white fish and veggies, roasted asparagus with garlic and any type of cheese, parmesan cheese usually.
Q. Sounds very healthy.
NELLY KORDA: Yeah. It isn't.
Q. You mentioned George Lopez. What draws you to him and his personality?
NELLY KORDA: I love the comedies he was in growing up. He always made me laugh. I haven't seen any the shows or reruns from what I watched when I was a little kid, but he was someone that my brother and I always watched after school, and just really excited to get to know him, too.
Q. And lastly, your thoughts on the Seri Pak Fir Hills tournament being canceled at this point? That's one you would've been defending. Thoughts on that and how that sets up as the leadup to Chevron given there are only a couple events in March now?
NELLY KORDA: Yeah, obviously super unfortunate for the fans, the players, and everyone involved in the event not going back and playing that event.
But there is nothing you can really do about it. I know the LPGA worked tirelessly to make that event happen. At the end of the day there is not much you can do about that.
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