Nelly Korda Joins SI Swimsuit's Elite After Breaking LPGA Barriers

Nelly Korda is reaching new heights both on and off the golf course!

The world's No.1 golfer has added another accolade to her impressive resume, becoming one of the standout athletes featured in Sports Illustrated's 2025 Swimsuit Issue.

Her inclusion not only marks a personal milestone but also sets a new standard for LPGA stars in mainstream media.

Korda's feature in the 2025 SI Swimsuit Issue has already made waves on social media. Her video for the campaign has surpassed one million views on Instagram, a rare achievement even among the magazine's high-profile content.

According to fan account NellyLegion on X, "As of today, 51 reels have been posted by SI since then. And only 4 including NK's video have done 1M+."

The 26-year-old was the first athlete photographed for the highly anticipated issue, announced back in November 2024. Her inclusion marks the first LPGA star to appear in the SI Swimsuit Issue since Natalie Gulbis in 2012, further solidifying her as a trailblazer for women's golf.

This isn't Korda's only brush with the spotlight outside of golf. She turned heads at the prestigious Met Gala in May 2024, becoming the first LPGA player ever to attend the event and the first golfer since Tiger Woods to receive an invitation.

SI's editor-in-chief, MJ Day, praised the athlete's groundbreaking inclusion, telling Golf Digest, "We are thrilled to launch our shoot season for the 2025 issue with an extraordinary lineup of powerful female athletes. This remarkable group, featuring Olympic medalists, world champions, and record holders, embodies the next generation of all-stars poised to transform the world of sports."

While her mainstream visibility continues to rise, Korda's golf career remains just as impressive. She boasts seven LPGA titles, including a remarkable streak of five consecutive wins, a feat only matched by legends Annika Sörenstam and Nancy Lopez.

Her dominance on the course has not only elevated her to No.1 in the world but has also inspired the next generation of female athletes. However, despite her accolades, Korda remains humble when discussing her family's athletic success.

While Korda's accomplishments are undeniable, she doesn't consider herself the most talented athlete in her family. During a recent appearance on the 5 Clubs show on YouTube, she was asked who would win a family sports competition. Without hesitation, she gave the title to her brother, tennis star Sebastian Korda.

"I think hands down my brother," Korda said. "His hand-eye coordination is unbelievable, and he makes everything look so smooth and easy. It's kind of aggravating, but he's definitely the most talented out of all of them."

Korda's journey continues to inspire, not just for her athletic excellence but for breaking barriers and redefining what it means to be a modern sports icon. Whether dominating the fairways or gracing the pages of Sports Illustrated, Korda's influence in both sports and pop culture is undeniable.