For most of this season, Nelly Korda‘s game has been under a microscope. The world No. 2, who won seven times last year, hasn’t been able to manage a single victory this season. The reason is unknown, but the parity on the LPGA course does offer an insight. 25 different players have won this year. And 7 of them have come from rookies, which is the most in the tour’s history. This only sharpens the spotlight on Korda’s drought. Yet, while questions about her form continue to swirl, the 27-year-old reminded everyone in Arkansas this week that her presence stretches far beyond the fairways and leaderboards.

On Tuesday, ahead of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, Korda and fellow LPGA players Perrine Delacour, Emily Kristine Pedersen, and Lindy Duncan visited Arkansas Children’s Hospital. They met with the children admitted there, handing out toys to them, listening to some of them as they played pan flutes, posed for pictures, and traded laughs. The challenges these kids face made the struggles of golf seem small by comparison. Korda personally handed out several toys, asking kids, “Do you want the Iron Man one?” before passing them on. Her warmth could be felt through the reel shared by the LPGA on its official Instagram account. “The players had a great visit with the kids, sharing laughs, handing out gifts, and making memories!” the caption said.

This visit should not be viewed solely as a photo opportunity. Arkansas Children’s Hospital has deep ties to golf in the region. Each year, the Will Golf 4 Kids tournament and the Gala of Hope (events held by this hospital) raise millions for pediatric care. Together, these events have raised more than $24.5 million for children. Walmart, which is the title sponsor of this week’s event, has long supported the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, of which Arkansas Children’s is a part, through its #PlayYellow initiative. This initiative was co-founded by Jack Nicklaus and his wife Barbara, and since 1987, has helped generate over $1 billion for children’s hospitals across the US and Canada. With its roots connected so deeply with golf, it makes sense why Korda was present there among those kids. “I love kids,” she had said once.

Still, the timing of her visit makes the contrast hard to ignore. On the course, Korda has endured a year of several near-misses. She’s made the cut in all her starts and has seven top-10 finishes. These include being a runner-up at the U.S. Women’s Open, where she came very close to winning, but lost to Maja Stark. Her scoring average sits at 69.87 — second only to Jeeno Thitikul, who is the current world number 1. Yet, none of these smallest margins has helped her lift a silverware. “Everything just hasn’t clicked,” Korda admitted recently. “For you to win out here or to win in general, it’s so hard. Everything has to click. Bounces have to go your way. Everything just has to click. Unfortunately, it just hasn’t. But never say never.”

Although she is hopeful, analysts like NBC’s Tom Abbott have noted what many sense watching her rounds: a trace of lost confidence. “I think there’s just a little bit of confidence lacking this year,” he said. The numbers might back it up. Last season, Korda had a great start, grabbing the first major at the Chevron Championship. But then her graph went downhill, missing the cuts in the U.S. Women’s Open and the Women’s PGA. Quite contrary to all that, this year she did make the cut in all five majors, and yet a title is missing. Korda herself has talked about it, admitting that although her game isn’t far off from last year, she hasn’t been able to break into the winner’s circle. Her recent best performance was at last week’s Kroger Queen City Championship (T5).

Now she is all ready for yet another try at Northwest Arkansas, and who knows, maybe with her never-say-never attitude, she will finally flip the script. She surely might have gotten all the best wishes from those kids.

Speaking of which, Nelly Korda is known for dipping her toes in several charity events across the country.

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Nelly Korda’s charity at heart

Nelly Korda’s charitable reach has always extended well beyond the tee box. Over the years, she has supported several causes, such as that of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, contributing to causes such as Child Welfare and Children’s Health. Then in 2021, after winning the Meijer LPGA Classic, she directed a $25,000 donation from the sponsor to Kids’ Food Basket in Grand Rapids, a hunger relief program.

Then she also has a partnership with Tokio Marine HCC and Susan G. Komen. Korda has linked her performance on the course with every birdie ($5,000), eagle ($10,000), and even a potential career-best round, to fundraising, triggering donations to breast cancer research and support. The initiative guarantees at least $50,000, with the possibility of a million-dollar pledge if Korda hits a historic milestone.

These are just some of the examples of how Nelly Korda uses her profile not just to compete, but to generate real impact for communities and causes that matter.