Korda was in flawless form over the first four months of the season with a five-event winning streak culminating in the American claiming a second major of her carer at the Chevron Championship in April, before she earned a sixth success in seven starts at the Mizuho Americas Open in May.
However, the 26-year-old then failed to make the weekend of the next two majors, with an 80 at the US Women’s Open including a septuple-bogey 10 on the par-three 12th, and then an 81 at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.Korda has not played since September due to a neck injury and revealed ahead of her return event – The ANNIKA in her native Florida, live on Sky Sports from Thursday – that she suffered from migraines during Team USA’s Solheim Cup victory over Europe in Virginia as well as the week after.
The Rolex Player of the Year told reporters on Wednesday, after playing alongside basketball star Caitlin Clark in the pro-am: “The only time it was not hurting was sleep and being in a dark room and I think it led to my [neck] injury.
“In a sense, maybe I have rushed my rehab to get to these two events [The ANNIKA and next week’s CME Tour Group Championship] as they were important to me – in front of a bit of a home crowd here and I definitely want to be ready for Naples.
“It feels like I’ve lived nine lives [since winning the LPGA Drive On Championship in January].
“You are put a little bit more under a microscope as an athlete when you have bad days, especially when you are a top-ranked player.
“So [it’s about] knowing it’s okay to have bad days and not really look at all the criticism, to believe in your talents and hard work. Not being afraid to make mistakes. I’m human.
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