Nelly Korda’s Role in My Greatest Loss, and a Ben Hogan Gem | Weekend 9
Golf is a game of inches, emotions, and enduring lessons. This past weekend, I experienced the full spectrum in what I can only describe as my greatest loss — and surprisingly, Nelly Korda had everything to do with it.
Let me set the scene: A friendly weekend tournament among seasoned amateurs, but one that’s become fiercely competitive over the years. The stakes weren’t monetary — just pride, a small trophy, and the endless banter that follows. I was in the final group, leading by two strokes going into the last three holes. Confidence was high. My swing was smooth. Then came the moment.
As I waited on the tee box of the par-3 16th, my playing partner pulled out his phone. “Did you see what Nelly Korda did?” he asked. I hadn’t — I’d been locked into my round. “She just won her fifth straight LPGA event. Flawless round. Absolute clinic,” he said.
And just like that, my mind left the course.
I thought of Nelly’s iron play, her unshakable composure, and that silky putting stroke. I tried to channel it — the problem is, I’m not Nelly Korda. I overthought my approach, clubbed down, and came up short into the bunker. One poor shot snowballed into a double bogey. I never recovered.
By the end of 18, I had lost by one.
It was a bitter pill. But on the drive home, replaying every moment in my head, I remembered a quote from Ben Hogan:
“The most important shot in golf is the next one.”
It hit differently that night. I had gotten ahead of myself, distracted by greatness, and forgot the core of Hogan’s wisdom: golf is about presence. One shot at a time.
Nelly Korda’s brilliance didn’t cost me the win — my lapse in focus did. But in a strange way, that moment also reinforced why we love the game. It’s humbling. It demands attention. It teaches, constantly.
This weekend, I lost the trophy. But I gained a new appreciation — for Korda’s remarkable run, for Hogan’s timeless truths, and for the reminder that every swing deserves your full mind.
Next time, I’ll remember the most important shot… is the next one.
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