Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, April 29, 2026.– Nelly Korda arrives this week at the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba as the world No. 1 in the LPGA rankings. The American star said she is excited to be in Mexico, though she downplayed the importance of holding the top spot.
Korda comes off a victory at the Chevron Championship, her second title of the season after winning the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, making her one of the favorites to claim the title.
“I’ve held that position a couple of times [she was No. 1 in 2021], and obviously it’s an incredible achievement—it’s something I dreamed of as a kid. But it really just means you’re playing the best golf at the end of the day. It’s very different from other sports, like tennis, where being world No. 1 gives you an advantage. In golf, there’s no advantage—it just means you’re playing the best golf. That’s why I don’t focus too much on the ranking, but rather on the simplicity of the game, just going out and doing the best I can,” she said.
Korda arrived in Mayakoba on Monday, taking time to visit the beach, enjoy tacos with guacamole, and rest after her recent win.
She feels comfortable in warm and humid conditions, which gives her confidence heading into the tournament. “I hadn’t been to Mexico since 2017. It’s not far from Florida, and I love competing in warmer climates. Being from Florida, I’m used to the humidity and heat—my body definitely prefers it over cold weather. I’ve always wanted to come here [Mayakoba]. I visited a couple of years ago and played the course. It was a great opportunity to experience a new course and compete in beautiful conditions, creating new memories outside the United States.”
While in Mexico, Korda acknowledged the influence of Lorena Ochoa on the growth of golf in the country. Although she never had the chance to meet her on the course, she is aware of how dominant Ochoa was during her career, despite not spending many years on Tour, and has heard about her kindness—something Korda would like to emulate in her own life.
Korda participated in Wednesday’s Pro-Am, once again walking the course as she prepares to begin competition, aiming for another success in her career, which already includes 17 titles, three of them Major championships.
