The SHOCKING Reason Nelly Korda Is Skipping the 2025 International Crown — LPGA World Stunned

The golf world is in disbelief as Nelly Korda, the World No. 2, withdraws from Team USA just days before the International Crown, admitting that her body has finally “worn down.”

In a candid statement released through the LPGA, Korda revealed she has been battling persistent neck spasms and a series of nagging injuries that have plagued her throughout the 2025 season. “I’ve pushed through pain all year, but my body is telling me it’s time to listen,” she said. The decision, though heartbreaking for fans, underscores a brutal reality: even the most dominant athletes have limits.

Korda’s withdrawal comes at a pivotal moment. After a historic 2024 season that saw her claim seven titles—including a major and an Olympic gold medal—expectations for 2025 were sky-high. Yet the year has been a stark contrast. Winless on tour, plagued by inconsistency, and visibly fatigued in post-round interviews, Korda has carried the weight of being America’s flagship golfer while her body quietly rebelled.

The International Crown, a biennial team event pitting the best female golfers from eight nations against one another, was meant to be a showcase for Korda’s leadership. Now, her absence leaves a gaping hole in Team USA’s lineup. Her replacement—a talented but far lower-ranked player—faces the daunting task of filling the shoes of a superstar who has defined women’s golf for the past two years.

Behind the scenes, whispers of burnout have grown louder. Korda’s 2024 dominance came at a cost: a grueling schedule with little downtime, constant media scrutiny, and the pressure to maintain perfection. Sources close to the LPGA say she has been managing chronic pain since early spring, relying on physiotherapy and cortisone injections to stay competitive. “She’s been playing injured for months,” one insider revealed. “This isn’t a sudden decision—it’s the culmination of a body that’s been screaming for rest.”

The timing couldn’t be worse for Team USA. Defending champions in the event, they now head into competition without their anchor. Analysts predict a seismic shift in dynamics—rival teams like South Korea and Australia sense blood in the water.

Korda’s absence has ignited a broader conversation about the unsustainable demands placed on top athletes. The LPGA schedule, while less intense than the men’s PGA Tour, still requires near-constant travel, practice, and performance under pressure. For players like Korda—who also juggle sponsorship obligations, social media presence, and national team duties—the grind is relentless.

“This is a wake-up call,” said former LPGA star Annika Sörenstam. “We celebrate the wins, but we don’t see the toll. Nelly’s honesty might save the next generation from the same fate.”

As the International Crown unfolds without its brightest American star, one thing is clear: Korda’s withdrawal is more than a lineup change. It’s a symbol of the brutal grind behind golf’s glamour—a chilling reminder that even the brightest stars can break under relentless pressure.

The LPGA world holds its breath, hoping Korda’s hiatus leads not to an ending, but to a stronger return. For now, the fairways feel emptier without her.