In the high-stakes world of professional golf, where precision on the green can make or break legacies, Nelly Korda has long been the undisputed queen. At just 26, the Florida native holds the No. 1 ranking in women's golf, boasts 14 LPGA Tour victories, and claimed Olympic gold in Paris last summer—a feat that cemented her as a generational talent. But as the 2025 season unfolds with Korda dominating the fairways once again, whispers from the fashion frontlines suggest she's eyeing a different kind of catwalk. Her recent splash in the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue has fans buzzing: Is the athlete poised to swap her TaylorMade clubs for a spot on the runway, blending athletic prowess with high-fashion flair?
The pivot began quietly last fall, when Sports Illustrated announced Korda as the first addition to its 2025 Swimsuit roster. Photographed by visual artist Ben Horton at the opulent Boca Raton Resort in her home state, Korda's debut was nothing short of electric. Posing alongside a powerhouse lineup of female athletes—including gymnast Suni Lee, sprinter Gabby Thomas, skier Eileen Gu, and WNBA rookie Cameron Brink—she channeled coastal confidence in a series of swimsuits that fused athleticism with effortless elegance. One standout look featured a strapless navy one-piece from Cleonie Swim, complete with a bold side cut-out and sculpting boning that hugged her frame like a second skin. "She is beauty, she is grace, she is Nelly Korda," the magazine's Instagram caption gushed, capturing the essence of a woman who moves with the same poise whether sinking a birdie putt or striking a pose on a sun-drenched yacht.
For Korda, stepping in front of the camera was a deliberate leap outside her comfort zone—a challenge she embraced with the same grit that propelled her to six LPGA wins in 2024 alone, including a historic streak of five consecutive victories that echoed legends like Lorena Ochoa. "I think that's what life is about, also, sometimes challenging yourself," she shared in a behind-the-scenes interview for the issue, released in May. The shoot, held in November 2024 amid Florida's balmy breezes, saw her trading turf for turquoise waters, donning everything from an olive-green long-sleeved bikini by Indah—a nod to the magazine's trend forecast for unexpected coverage—to a vibrant piece from Angelys Balek that highlighted her toned physique. Makeup artist Tracy Murphy used Charlotte Tilbury products to enhance her natural glow, while hairstylist Sam Leonardi crafted beachy waves with Kérastase, proving Korda's transition from golfer to model was as seamless as her swing.
Golf purists, however, aren't entirely sold on the glamour game. Social media lit up with a mix of awe and apprehension as Korda's Swimsuit reveal dropped. "Nelly's killing it on the course—why risk the distractions of fashion weeks now?" one fan tweeted, echoing a sentiment rippling through LPGA circles. On X, formerly Twitter, posts marveled at her "perfection" in activewear looks—like the monochromatic army-green Nike polo and mini skirt she sported for her season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in January, accessorized with a bubble ponytail and delicate gold necklaces. Yet, others fretted over the timing: With the U.S. Women's Open looming and Korda fresh off her 2024 Rolex Player of the Year honors, could runway rumors pull focus from her quest for majors? A viral thread from Golf Channel highlighted up-and-comers like Kiara Romero citing Korda as a style icon alongside Charley Hull, but even that sparked debates: "Inspired by her fashion? Sure. But let's keep the trophies coming first."
Korda's foray into fashion isn't a total surprise; it's woven into her DNA and her brand. Born to Czech tennis pros Petr Korda—a 1998 Australian Open champion—and Regina Rajchrtová, she grew up courtside, absorbing the poise of champions. Her younger brother Sebastian, now ranked 23rd on the ATP Tour, keeps the family athletic flame alive, but Nelly's path has always shimmered with style. Partnerships with Nike and TaylorMade have long blurred the lines between sport and sartorial, outfitting her in sleek polos and visors that double as runway-ready separates. Off the course, she's been spotted channeling "coastal confidence" in structured garments that anchor her images with vibrant hues, as the SI team envisioned for the shoot. And while Eileen Gu has already strutted Louis Vuitton's Cruise 2023 runway and graced Vogue covers, Korda's Swimsuit debut feels like her opening bid in a larger fashion narrative—one that could see her at Paris Fashion Week or New York’s spring shows, trading birdies for bold prints.
The speculation intensified this spring when Korda broke her post-Solheim Cup silence with what outlets dubbed a "stunning style transformation." At the ANWA, she layered activewear with unexpected edge—a mini skirt that screamed athleisure evolution—prompting headlines like "Nelly Korda's Fashion Frenzy Impacts U.S. Open Prep." Fans on X raved about her "beautiful" swing but couldn't ignore the wardrobe wizardry: a Goldman Sachs x TaylorMade visor perched atop a high bun, white Nike sneakers grounding the look. "Holy Moly, perfection!" one user exclaimed, wishing for a slice of her fluidity. Yet, beneath the admiration lies a genuine concern: Golf demands relentless focus, and as Korda reflected ahead of 2025, she credited her support system for navigating 2024's highs and lows. "Golf has impacted my life in an incredible way outside the sport," she noted. "I get to inspire the next generation. I see girls that look up to me." Could fashion amplify that role—or dilute it?
As the SI Swimsuit models, including Korda, continue to react to each other's "amazing" photos—Roshumba Williams returning after her groundbreaking 1990 debut, DJ Xandra Pohl owning Miami Swim Week's catwalk—the conversation evolves. Korda's images, from beachside serenity to open-sea boldness, prove she's no novice to the lens. But with the LPGA calendar packed and majors on the horizon, golf fans are left pondering: Is this a savvy diversification, leveraging her grace to broaden her influence, or a risky detour from the fairways? For now, Korda remains the picture of balance—aceing tournaments in army green minis while owning the pages of SI in sculptural suits. Whether she trades trophies for the runway full-time or keeps it as a stylish side hustle, one thing's clear: Nelly Korda's next swing, be it a drive or a strut, will captivate us all. In a sport built on calculated risks, her bold move might just be the ultimate hole-in-one.
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