If you thought Nelly Korda’s journey back to the top of the LPGA rankings was all birdies and champagne, think again. Just weeks before teeing off at the Amundi Evian Championship, the World No. 1 is juggling more than just her swing—she’s dealing with a double dose of chaos: a nagging neck injury and a full-blown luggage disaster.
Let’s start with the injury. Korda, who has been the picture of consistency and grace on the tour, recently revealed she’s been nursing neck discomfort that’s hampered her preparation. For any athlete, especially a golfer whose swing relies on flawless mechanics, a neck issue is a red flag—and one she’s not ignoring. But as if dealing with physical pain wasn’t enough, the travel gods decided to pile on.
Cue the next plot twist: five pieces of luggage, including her precious golf clubs and a $1,295 Tumi carry-on, went AWOL en route to France. That’s right—every single one of her checked bags decided to ghost her. Gone. Vanished. Missing in baggage-handling purgatory. And just days before a major championship, no less.
Instead of a meltdown, Korda responded with class and wit—posting a now-viral Instagram story, tagging Delta Airlines, and letting the world know her bags had pulled a disappearing act. “If anyone sees five lost bags walking around… they’re mine,” she joked. Fans couldn’t get enough. The sympathy, the laughter, the confusion—it all flooded in. And while Delta hasn’t offered much in the way of a public apology, the court of public opinion is clearly on Nelly’s side.
For most players, this combination of physical discomfort and logistical chaos might trigger a full-blown pre-tournament spiral. But Nelly’s handling it like the pro she is—leaning into humor, focusing on recovery, and reminding everyone why she’s the face of women’s golf right now.
So what does this mean for her Evian chances? With or without her original gear, she’s still one of the favorites—though swinging a rental club while wearing airport merch might not be the look she envisioned. Still, one thing’s clear: adversity may be testing Nelly Korda, but she’s not letting it define her.
Whether it’s a bad neck or a baggage vanishing act, Korda’s resilience is turning her into a legend both on and off the course.
