The Unraveling of a Winning Streak: Nelly Korda's Surprising Exit at Evian Championship
In the world of professional golf, streaks are revered, and cut streaks are even more so. Imagine the shock when two of the sport's most consistent performers, Nelly Korda and Scottie Scheffler, both missed the cut in their respective tournaments on the same day. It's a rare occurrence that has the golf community buzzing with intrigue.
Nelly Korda, the LPGA's reigning star, needed a birdie on her final hole to secure her spot for the weekend at the 2026 Amundi Evian Championship. But fate had other plans. Her putt, a mere inches short, sealed her fate, ending a remarkable two-year streak of making every cut on the LPGA Tour. This is a stark contrast to her stellar performance in 2024, where she won seven times, including a missed cut at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the timing. Korda has been on a roll this year, with three wins under her belt, including the first two majors. Her worst finish in 2026 was a tie for eighth in the third major, until this surprising exit at Evian. One can't help but wonder if the pressure of maintaining her streak played a role in her performance.
The 18th hole, usually a birdie opportunity, became her undoing. A missed fairway, a layup, and a putt left short—it's a sequence that will likely haunt her for a while. Personally, I believe this moment highlights the fine line between success and failure in golf. It's a game of inches, and sometimes even the best players can come up just short.
This unexpected turn of events opens up an intriguing narrative for the upcoming ISPS Handa Scottish Open and the AIG Women's Open, the LPGA's final major. Will Korda bounce back and reclaim her dominance, or will this setback impact her performance? It's a question that has the golf world eagerly anticipating her next move.
Meanwhile, the Evian Championship has a new leader in the form of Lottie Woad, a young pro who is making her mark in just her first year. This contrast between the veteran's fall and the rookie's rise adds another layer of drama to the tournament.
In my opinion, Korda's missed cut is a stark reminder of the unpredictability of golf. It's a sport where even the most consistent players can have off days. This raises a deeper question: How do athletes mentally recover from such setbacks? The psychological aspect of the game is often overlooked, but it's these moments that truly test a player's resilience and determination.
As we move forward, all eyes will be on Korda's comeback and Woad's continued rise. The LPGA Tour has a way of keeping us on the edge of our seats, and this unexpected twist is a perfect example of why golf is such a captivating sport.
