After a planned seven-week break from the LPGA Tour, world No. 1 golfer Nelly Korda is back in action, with the US star beginning her 2024 title defense at the 2025 Ford Championship on Thursday afternoon.

While last year’s inaugural event saw Korda in the midst of a historic five-tournament winning streak, the 26-year-old has been more strategic with her participation this year, sitting out the tour’s recent Asia swing after kicking off her 2025 campaign with two Top 10 finishes.

"I mean, it’s always nice to take time off where you’re not injured and you're kind of trying to hopefully become better and catch up on maybe some lost time," she told Golfweek on Wednesday.

Incorporating rest is a strategy world No. 3 Lydia Ko is also employing this year, as the New Zealander travels to the Phoenix, Arizona, event after a three-week break of her own. Ko is also packing winning momentum in her golf bag this weekend, having snagged her 23rd career title at the 2025 HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore on March 2nd.

Joining Korda and Ko on this weekend's Ford Championship links are all 10 of the LPGA's top-ranked golfers, who will be competing together for the first time this year at the event.

That means Australia's world No. 5 Hannah Green, the US star No. 6 Lilia Vu, and South Korea standout No. 8 Jin Young Ko will all be competing for a chunk of the $2.25 million purse.

US golf stars Lilia Vu and Nelly Korda eye the green during a 2024 LPGA tournament.
US golf stars Lilia Vu and Nelly Korda could chase LPGA scoring history in Phoenix this weekend. (Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

Top LPGA golfers take aim at low-scoring history

With Phoenix's warm climate known for producing low golf scores, this weekend's at the 2025 Ford Championship athletes will also take a swing at history by chasing the near-impossible single-round score of 59.

"That's kind of like the trend of golf here in Arizona," said Korda about the area's ideal setting for the sport. "I mean, the weather is usually perfect. The grass is usually perfect as well. So that all sets up for low scoring ability, and then it's hot, so it flies really far. So the par 5s are pretty reachable."

Korda once came close to the elusive score during her 2021 Olympic gold medal-winning run in Tokyo, though a few extra late swings saw her finish the round at 62.

"I came pretty close at the Olympics, then I doubled my last one," she explained. "It was like starting to creep into my head and I was like, yeah, I don't even think about it, no."

If any of this weekend's LPGA stars do snag a sub-60 round, they'll become just the second LPGA player to ever do so, joining former pro Annika Sörenstam, whose historic 59 came in Phoenix in 2001.

How to watch Nelly Korda at the 2025 Ford Championship

Running through Sunday's fourth and final round, the 2025 Ford Championship tees off on Thursday, with streaming coverage beginning at 6 PM ET and broadcast coverage airing at 7 PM ET.

All rounds of the tournament will air on the Golf Channel.

Annika Sorenstam has inked a deal with Revo to become a golf ambassador for the company, which designs high-quality performance sunglasses.

As part of the partnership, Sorenstam and Revo will collaborate on the design of two new custom sunglass styles for golfers set to launch in the spring of 2022.

“It’s humbling when Revo’s commitment to technology and overall excellence is recognized by those who really know their equipment,” said Revo CEO Cliff Robinson. “Annika is a golfing legend and it’s an honor and privilege to be partnering with her. I can’t wait for everyone to see the exciting designs we’ve come up with.”

Sorenstam is widely regarded as one of the best golfers of all time. With over 90 victories worldwide and 10 major championships, the Swedish pro returned to the golf course this year and won the U.S. Senior Women’s Open.

As a company ambassador, Sorenstam will raise awareness about Revo’s line of NASA-based lenses. Their signature NASA-based Light Management System helps protect customers from the sun with a collection of lenses that also “enhance and improve the way we see the world.”

“I‘m super excited about this chance to collaborate with Revo,” Sorenstam said. “I’ve always been diligent about protecting my eyes from the sun, especially while on the golf course. With Revo’s superior lenses, I can be functional and fashionable even on my busiest days.”

It can be difficult to meet expectations.

But not for Annika Sorenstam, who won the U.S. Senior Women’s Open by eight strokes over the weekend, 13 years after her last LPGA tournament.

Only five players broke par at the Brooklawn tournament. Sorestam was one, finishing at 12 under with a 4-under 68 in her final round. She finished eight strokes ahead of second-place finisher Liselotte Neumann who wound up at four under.

Her putting was on point the entire way, including the following par putt at the 15th to hold her seven-shot lead.

At 276, Sorenstam tied the tournament record set by Laura Davies at the inaugural championship in 2018.