Nelly Korda Ties for Second at Grant Thornton Invitational: Strong Finish to a Winless But Resilient 2025
Nelly Korda Ties for Second at Grant Thornton Invitational: Strong Finish to a Winless But Resilient 2025
Nelly Korda capped off a challenging yet consistent 2025 season with a strong performance at the Grant Thornton Invitational, tying for second alongside partner Denny McCarthy. The duo finished at 25-under par, three shots behind winners Lauren Coughlin and Andrew Novak, who claimed the title at a tournament-record 28-under at Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida.
The mixed-team event, featuring stars from both the LPGA and PGA Tours, showcased Korda’s elite ball-striking in a fun, collaborative format. Paired with PGA Tour putting specialist Denny McCarthy, Korda and her teammate posted a final-round 9-under 63 in the modified four-ball format, climbing the leaderboard to share second place with two other teams: Jennifer Kupcho/Chris Gotterup and Charley Hull/Michael Brennan.
For Korda, the runner-up finish provided a positive exclamation point on a year that saw her go winless on the LPGA Tour—a stark contrast to her dominant 2024 campaign, where she captured seven victories, including a major. Despite the lack of trophies in 2025, Korda’s season was far from disappointing. She made every cut in 20 events, posted multiple top-10 finishes (including a runner-up at the U.S. Women’s Open and third place at the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship), and maintained elite statistics tee-to-green. Her scoring average ranked among the tour’s best, underscoring her resilience amid heightened competition on the LPGA.
“This year has been a testament to consistency and mental toughness,” observers noted of Korda’s campaign. In an era where the LPGA field has deepened dramatically, producing a parade of different winners each week, Korda’s ability to contend regularly—without converting—highlighted both her skill and the tour’s rising parity.
The Grant Thornton Invitational, with its scramble, foursomes, and modified four-ball rounds, offered a lighthearted close to the year. Korda, who emphasized pre-tournament that team events thrive on positivity (“never saying sorry”), thrived in the partnership dynamic. Her performance here reaffirmed her status as one of golf’s premier talents, setting the stage for what many expect to be a triumphant return to the winner’s circle in 2026.
As the golf world turns the page, Korda’s resilient 2025 serves as a reminder: even without wins, excellence endures.
