As the LPGA Tour nears its final stretch, Nelly Korda remains absent. After seven wins in 2024, she’s winless this season, sidelined by recurring neck issues and withdrawals from key majors. Her long-term fitness is now in doubt, though a surprise appearance in Michelle Wie West’s Instagram stories recently gave fans a rare glimpse of her during her hiatus.

The shoot was for the debut Nike × SKIMS campaign, a bold collaboration aiming to shake up the global activewear market. Featuring seven collections and 58 styles, it spotlights stars like Serena Williams, Sha’Carri Richardson, Jordan Chiles, and Chloe Kim. Nelly Korda and Michelle Wie West’s behind-the-scenes moments quickly lit up social media.

Wie West has been rewriting her post-competitive narrative since retiring in 2022. The former wunderkind turned Stanford grad now juggles motherhood, high-profile endorsements, and smart business moves.

Her exclusive partnership with Nike SKIMS underscores how retired athletes can still wield cultural currency. In that light, her relations with Korda feel like more than a photo op; it’s a declaration that even stars in transition continue to shape the game.

Their bond is more than surface-level friendship. Wie West praised Korda’s growth: “She has very strong personal boundaries, which is amazing.”  Meanwhile, Korda once complimented Wie West’s role in the sport: “If anything, she’s the perfect ambassador for our game.” Their public respect deepens the reunion’s emotional resonance, not just its forced branding feel.

Thus, their Nike reunion bridges generations, highlighting golf’s cultural impact even beyond fairways. Ultimately, Korda’s pause contrasts with Wie West’s reinvention, yet both remain central to women’s golf narratives.

As Korda recovers, she’ll likely return at the CME Group Tour Championship or early 2026 events. Therefore, this unexpected collaboration proves that sidelined stars and retired icons still shape the game’s future spotlight.

How did Nelly Korda perform at the 2025 ShopRite LPGA Classic?

World No. 1 Nelly Korda entered the 2025 ShopRite LPGA Classic with sky-high expectations. However, her three-day effort at Bay Course in Galloway delivered another frustrating chapter. Despite rounds of 71, 66, and 68, Korda settled for a T15 finish, tying for 8-under with the field. Consequently, her result renewed questions about her 2025 form and winless streak.

Initially, Korda’s opening-round 71 left her tied for 65th, creating immediate pressure to rebound. Subsequently, she responded with a superb 66, matching the tournament’s lowest round and climbing the leaderboard. Nevertheless, her final round of 68 lacked the momentum to challenge the leaders. Therefore, another top 20 result reinforced her season long difficulty converting strong play into wins.

Ultimately, the ShopRite performance epitomised Korda’s 2025 paradox: consistent excellence without a trophy. She’s already tallied four top 20s in six starts, including a runner-up at the Tour Championship and solid major showings. Yet her inability to close mirrors a troubling trend of near-misses. Meanwhile, her world No. 1 status now draws sharper scrutiny as rivals seize on her drought.