Nelly Korda Wins 2026 Rolex Player of the Year Award

Nelly Korda has been named the 2026 Rolex Player of the Year.

The LPGA announced the award Tuesday.

It is the second time in three years Korda has won the honor.

She also won it in 2024.

Korda clinched the award without playing a round this fall.

Her last competitive round was at the Solheim Cup in the Netherlands in September.

She has not played since.

Korda won the award on points.

The LPGA Player of the Year award is based on a points system.

Players earn points for top finishes in LPGA events.

Korda finished the season with 239 points.

That was far ahead of her closest competitors.

Haeran Ryu finished second with 176 points.

Miyu Yamashita had 156 points.

Jeeno Thitikul had 155 points.

Korda's path to the award was cleared by circumstances beyond her control.

Haeran Ryu withdrew from the Maybank Championship in Malaysia last week.

Ryu suffered a strained ligament in her finger.

She had won two majors in 2026.

Miyu Yamashita and Jeeno Thitikul did not enter The Annika next week in Florida.

That left all three mathematically unable to catch Korda.

The award comes with a significant milestone.

Korda now has 26 career points toward the LPGA Hall of Fame.

Players need 27 points to qualify.

She is one point away.

A win in either of her next two starts would get her there.

Korda plans to play The Annika at Pelican Golf Club in Florida next week.

She also plans to play the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples.

Both are in her home state.

Korda is 28 years old.

She would not be the youngest player to qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame.

Inbee Park reached the requirements when she was 27.

Park was also a finalist this year for the World Golf Hall of Fame.

The World Golf Hall of Fame is separate from the LPGA Hall of Fame.

The LPGA Hall of Fame requires 27 points.

Points are earned by winning tournaments, especially majors.

Korda won four times in 2026.

Two of those wins were majors.

She won The Chevron Championship.

She also won the U.S. Women's Open at Riviera Country Club.

That was her signature win of the season.

Korda sealed the U.S. Women's Open victory on the 18th hole at Riviera.

It was her fourth career major championship.

After that win in June, Korda spoke about the moment.

“You just never know,” Korda said.

“It’s golf. Like on the last hole here, I was humbled by golf there.

“I had a pretty smooth day and on the last hole just kind of like humbles you a little bit.”

Korda's season started with a win at the Tournament of Champions in Orlando.

That event was cut short to 54 holes because of bitter cold and wind.

She then went on a run of six consecutive tournaments where she won or finished runner-up.

The streak ended with a tie for eighth.

Korda then won the U.S. Women's Open.

She said the U.S. Women's Open was the major she had her eyes on.

It is the biggest tournament in women's golf.

It was held at fabled Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles for the first time.

Korda said after her breakthrough win in LA that she planned to “smell the roses for a few days.”

Instead, she flew across the country to do a media tour in New York City.