Honestly, the golf world is still buzzing about it. When the news first broke that Nelly Korda was joining the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit roster, the internet basically had a collective "finally" moment. She isn't just another athlete doing a side project; she's the World No. 1 who spent over 100 weeks at the top of the Rolex Rankings. Seeing her trade the Nike visor and TaylorMade glove for high-fashion swimwear was a massive shift for the LPGA's public image.
People often assume these shoots are just about the aesthetic. They’re wrong.
For Nelly, this was about visibility for a sport that—let’s be real—sometimes struggles to get the mainstream flowers it deserves. She’s a two-time major winner with a gold medal from Tokyo, yet she still feels like golf's best-kept secret to the average person. The Nelly Korda Sports Illustrated Swimsuit feature changed that. It put the "Nelly Effect" in front of millions of people who wouldn’t know a birdie from a bunker.
Why the Nelly Korda Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Debut Actually Mattered
It wasn’t just about the photos. It was the timing.
Korda came off a 2024 season that was, frankly, historical. She won five tournaments in a row. That’s a Tiger Woods-level heater. By the time she stepped onto the beach in Boca Raton, Florida, for photographer Ben Horton, she was already a legend in the making. But the shoot allowed her to show a side that isn't visible when she's grinding out a par at the Chevron Championship.
She wore everything from a vibrant magenta Agua Bendita set to a sleek black one-shoulder piece by LaQuan Smith.
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"I stepped out of my comfort zone," she admitted during the shoot. That’s a big deal. Golfers are creatures of habit. They like routine. Posing in front of a crew at a luxury resort like The Boca Raton is a far cry from the quiet fairways she’s used to. But that’s the point. The 2025 issue wasn't just about fashion; it was a celebration of "all-stars" who are transforming women's sports.
Breaking the "Golfer" Stereotype
There's this old, dusty idea of what a female golfer looks like. Nelly Korda shatters that daily, but the SI feature was the sledgehammer.
- Athleticism on Display: You could see the physical result of her training. People forget how much core strength it takes to drive a ball 265 yards.
- Mainstream Crossover: Before this, she was the first golfer since Tiger Woods to get a Met Gala invite. She's building a brand that transcends the 18th green.
- The "Girl Power" Factor: She wasn't alone. The 2025 issue featured other powerhouse athletes like Suni Lee and Gabby Thomas. It felt less like a pin-up gallery and more like a hall of fame.
Behind the Scenes at Boca Raton
The shoot happened on Florida’s east coast, only a couple hundred miles from her home in Bradenton. It was sort of a home-turf advantage. Ben Horton, the photographer, captured her in what SI described as "vibrant hues" that popped against the Florida coastline.
One of the standout looks was a royal blue Yasmine Eslami two-piece. It was bold. It was athletic. It matched her eyes—which, if you've seen the close-ups, are pretty striking.
Korda's sister, Jessica, was one of the first to hype her up on Instagram. The golf community followed suit. Players like Anna Nordqvist and Alison Lee were all over the comments. It felt like a win for the whole LPGA. For a long time, there was this weird tension between being a "serious athlete" and doing lifestyle modeling. Nelly basically said, "Why not both?"
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The Impact on Women's Golf
Let’s look at the numbers. The LPGA prize funds are up 90% since 2021. Sponsors like Delta, Goldman Sachs, and EY are throwing money at the sport. Why? Because players like Nelly Korda are becoming household names.
When a young girl sees Nelly in a magazine, she doesn't just see a model. She sees the woman who won the 2024 Rolex Player of the Year award. She sees an Olympic champion. It makes the sport look "cool" in a way that traditional TV coverage sometimes fails to do.
Dealing With the Critics
Of course, you can't please everyone. Some purists think athletes should stay on the field. But honestly? That’s an outdated take.
In 2026, being a professional athlete is about more than just your stats. It’s about your platform. Nelly Korda uses hers to inspire. She mentioned during the SI shoot how important it is for her to be an inspiration for the next generation. If a swimsuit shoot gets a 12-year-old girl to pick up a club because she thinks Nelly is a rockstar, then the mission is accomplished.
She’s handled the fame with a lot of grace. Even when she went winless for a stretch in 2025, she didn't hide. She leaned into her partnerships with brands like Nike and TaylorMade, proving that her value isn't just tied to a leaderboard.
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What's Next for the "Nelly Effect"?
Now that she's officially an SI Swimsuit alum, where does she go?
Well, she’s still chasing majors. She’s still the face of the U.S. Solheim Cup team. But her business portfolio is massive. With a net worth estimated between $12 million and $15 million in 2026, she's one of the highest-paid female athletes on the planet.
The Nelly Korda Sports Illustrated Swimsuit appearance was a milestone, but it’s just one chapter. She’s proved she can dominate the green and the newsstand simultaneously.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're following Nelly's career or looking to support women's golf, here's how to stay in the loop:
- Watch the Majors: The Chevron Championship and the Women’s PGA are where Nelly usually turns on the heat.
- Follow the Gear: She’s a huge influence on golf fashion. Her collaborations with J.Lindeberg and Nike often sell out fast.
- Support the LPGA: The "Caitlin Clark Effect" is moving into golf. Increasing viewership helps ensure these athletes get the paydays they deserve.
Nelly Korda is more than a golfer; she's a brand. Whether she's wearing a Sunday red polo or a high-fashion bikini, she’s carrying the weight of the sport on her shoulders—and she makes it look easy.
To stay updated on Nelly's upcoming tournament schedule and her latest brand collaborations, check the official LPGA rankings or follow her social media channels for real-time updates on her 2026 season.