World No 1 Nelly Korda makes her long-awaited return to competition this week at The Annika, seeking a fourth title at the event that would earn her a spot in the LPGA Hall of Fame. Korda takes part in her first competitive start on the LPGA Tour since the FM Championship in August and her first appearance since the Solheim Cup in September.
Return from Injury and Rejuvenation
The 28-year-old is a three-time winner in her six prior starts at The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican Golf Club and is chasing her fifth victory of the season. Reflecting on her time away, Korda admitted she had not taken such an extended break in memory.
As reported by Sky Sports, Korda explained that while the break was nice, she was ready to resume playing by the middle of it. She noted that constant travel and play can leave the body drained and stagnant, making time to re-energize essential. Korda shared that she wanted to give her body a break because it was not feeling well, noting that she learned to listen to her physical limits after previous injuries sidelined her for longer periods.
Korda recently secured her second player of the year award following another excellent season. She credited her entire support team for working behind the scenes through the highs and lows, expressing gratitude for the people who lift her up.
Charley Hull’s Preparation
Britain’s Charley Hull enters the tournament following strong past performances at Pelican Golf Club, which include top-five finishes over the last two seasons and a runner-up finish behind Korda in 2024. Hull shared with Sky Sports that jet lag from the Maybank Championship in Malaysia left her exhausted upon returning home.
Hull noted that she loves the foggy and cold weather at home, which allowed her to play nine holes and prepare for the final stretch of the season. Describing these two weeks as her favorite of the year, Hull expressed hope of securing a victory after winning a nearby event in 2016 and finishing second at Pelican Golf Club.
Hull stated that her primary focus is improving her putting after a strong ball-striking performance in Malaysia that still resulted in a top-10 finish. She emphasized the importance of going out to have fun and enjoying the golf regardless of the weekend outcome.
Live coverage of The Annika on the LPGA Tour begins at 4pm on Thursday, November 12, exclusively on Sky Sports Golf.
