“I don’t think anyone can ever say anything bad about Scottie,” Nelly Korda said in 2024, reflecting on Scottie Scheffler’s Masters triumph. “He inspires so many around him, including myself.” At the time, both stars were in peak form—Scheffler had won three signature events, Korda had claimed five straight LPGA titles—and their mutual dominance drew inevitable comparisons. But a year later, her tone had changed.

Their similar story had kind of continued this year. So, when a reporter at the Mizuho Americas Open asked Korda if she paid attention to the men’s side of the sport, particularly Scheffler’s recent 8-stroke win at the CJ Byron Nelson Cup, she offered a one-word response: “No.” Her blunt reply came during her pre-tournament press conference at Liberty National, where she was joined by teen prodigy Gianna Clemente. The question framed the similarities between Scheffler’s slow start this year before breaking through and Korda’s early-season momentum without a win at that point in 2025.

While Korda was quick to shut down comparisons or connections, she offered a measured take on her performance: “Yeah, I think this year has been kind of up and down. I’ve had some really good rounds and iffy rounds as well.” She didn’t sugarcoat it, instead leaning into the unpredictable nature of golf: “It’s never going to be easy, and when you think you kind of have it figured out, it’s just going to humble you really quickly.”

Korda’s most recent tournament was the Chevron Championship, where she finished tied for 14th at -2. Despite not securing a win yet in 2025, she has consistently placed within the top 25, with a notable runner-up finish at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. Rather than looking outward for motivation, Korda made it clear her focus is internal.

“Just always stay patient, keep doing what you’re doing,” she said, stressing the importance of controlling the controllables and blocking out distractions. “I think what I’ve just learned is that I’m going to control what I can control, and what I can’t control, I’m kind of going to let go of that and not stress about it. Just go about my business.”

Her words underscore a mindset rooted in self-discipline—a theme that has echoed through both her dominance and resilience in the sport. But her disinterest in tracking Scheffler’s rise reveals a surprising detachment, especially when players like Tiger Woods and Jin Young Ko have gone out of their way to publicly celebrate fellow champions. Her response stands starkly in contrast to how Scheffler once spoke about her. “One of the people here asked me, like, ‘Is this turning into a competition between you and Nelly?’ and I was like, I don’t know, man, I think if it’s a competition, she’s got me pretty beat right now,” Scheffler said after Korda broke his winning streak by winning her fifth consecutive start at the Chevron Championship 2024. “Five wins in a row … it’s pretty special stuff. To win four times in a row and then show up at a major championship and win is extremely impressive. So I’m extremely happy for her,” he praised.

While Korda’s approach is centered on personal growth and control, her reluctance to engage with the success of others takes on a new dimension when considering her reaction to fellow athletes.

The Rory McIlroy snub: Why Nelly Korda’s silence surprised golf fans

Just last year, the TaylorMade trio of Nelly Korda, Rory McIlroy, and Tiger Woods shared the spotlight, flaunting chemistry during a putting challenge and standing united under Nike’s branding umbrella. On paper, their careers share plenty of parallels: both chasing a career Grand Slam, both marketable faces of their Tours, and both used to big stages.

That’s why it raised eyebrows when Korda revealed she didn’t watch McIlroy’s career-defining Masters win. “I did not watch at all. I don’t think I watched one shot of that final round,” she admitted. “I followed along mainly on social media.” Even more surprising was her follow-up: when asked if she’d reached out to congratulate McIlroy, Korda replied, “No. Yeah, I don’t have his number, so no.” While she did acknowledge his feat as “very impressive,” the absence of direct engagement, even a message, felt odd to many fans given their public association. Yet, Korda’s laser focus remains undeniable.

Whether skipping the Masters or missing the WNBA Draft (despite a friendship with Caitlin Clark), her priorities are clear: prepare, perform, and protect her headspace as she eyes more history of her own.