Nelly Korda Ditches TaylorMade Driver, Unveils Stunning New Nike Golf Shoe at The Annika

Belleair, Florida – If you thought Nelly Korda’s 2025 season couldn’t get any louder after her historic six-win campaign last year, think again. The world No. 1 sent shockwaves through the golf world on Wednesday at The Annika driven by Gainbridge when she stepped to the range with a completely new setup, most notably a Nike driver in the bag for the first time in her professional career.

For over a decade, Korda had been one of TaylorMade’s flagship athletes, wielding the brand’s Stealth and Qi10 drivers to 15 LPGA victories (including two majors) and the 2021 Olympic gold medal. But on the practice tee at Pelican Golf Club, the familiar red-and-black TaylorMade headcover was nowhere to be seen. In its place: a sleek Nike Vapor Fly Pro retro-inspired driver with the iconic Swoosh prominently displayed.

Sources close to the situation confirmed to GolfWeek that Korda has signed a full-bag and apparel deal with Nike Golf, ending her long and successful partnership with TaylorMade. The move reunites Korda with the brand she wore as a junior golfer and through her early amateur days before switching in 2016.

But the bigger buzz on Wednesday wasn’t just the driver switch; it was what was on her feet.

Korda debuted an unreleased, player-exclusive colorway of the Nike Air Zoom Infinity Tour Next% in a crisp white, university red, and metallic gold makeup. The shoe features a delicate red rose embroidered on the lateral heel, a subtle nod to the red rose cap she’s made famous on Sundays when in contention. Early photos show a translucent icy blue outsole and gold Swoosh outlines that catch the Florida sun in spectacular fashion.

While Nike has not officially remained quiet, multiple insiders say this is the first look at the “NRG Rose” pack, a limited-edition collaboration between Korda and Nike Golf that is expected to release to the public in early 2026. Only a handful of pairs are believed to exist at the moment, with Korda and close friends reportedly the only ones in possession.

Korda, all smiles during her pro-am round, playfully dodged questions about the equipment change but couldn’t hide her excitement about the shoes.

“I’ve had these in the works for a long time,” she teased. “It’s special when you get to put a little piece of your personality into something you wear every week. The rose means a lot to me; it’s been my thing for a while now.”

As for the performance of the new Nike sticks, Korda striped drive after drive on the range and was particularly dialed with her new Vapor Fly Pro driver, reportedly gaining several miles per hour of ball speed compared to her previous gamer.

If Wednesday’s range session is any indication, the Korda-Nike era is off to a scorching start, and the golf world is already counting down the days until the “NRG Rose” Infinity Tours hit retail.

One thing is certain: when Nelly Korda steps to the first tee Thursday at The Annika, she’ll do so looking faster, fresher, and more dangerous than ever, head-to-toe in Swoosh, rose-embroidered shoes and all.