Korda’s First Professional Victory: Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge.
Consistency on the Symetra Tour: Finishing in the Top Ten.
One of the defining moments of Nelly Korda’s early career came in September 2025, when she captured her first professional victory at the Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge.
This event, held at the Willow Run Golf Course in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was a significant achievement for the young golfer, marking her arrival as a serious contender in the professional ranks.
Following her victory at the Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge, Korda continued to perform consistently throughout the remainder of the 2016 Symetra Tour season.
Her ability to maintain a high level of play across multiple events was crucial in her quest to earn a spot on the LPGA Tour.
By the end of the season, Korda had accumulated enough prize money and top finishes to place ninth on the Symetra Tour’s money list.
This was no small feat, as only the top 10 players on the money list at the end of the season earn full LPGA Tour cards for the following year.
For Korda, finishing in the top ten was a dream realized, as it guaranteed her the opportunity to compete on the LPGA Tour in 2017, officially marking her transition from a developmental player to a full-fledged member of one of the most prestigious tours in golf.
