Let’s play a game: If you could steal any professional golfer’s swing, which golfer would you choose?
Rory McIlroy, whose combination of perfect technique and deadly speed creates a move that is half art and half violence, like a war painting? Scottie Schefflerthe endless well of athleticism and flexibility that seems to find perfect positions regardless of the roll of the shoulders or the angle of the spine? What do you say? Tommy Fleetwoodwhose aesthetic flows comfortably? Or Adam Scott, who has been perfectly chiseled for so long that one wonders if he’s ever experienced a truly bad part?
Now ask yourself: How many of those players have a better swing? than Nelly Korda? Is it number two? Is it one? None?
Korda’s swing is glorious. A breeze thwack that lifts the ball off the ground like James Taylor plucking a D chord. Inspirational in its beauty, Korda’s swing is its essence – easy, simple, to the point, unconcerned and unhurried. It illustrates her game in part because it illustrates her character. And it’s Korda’s persona that caught the eye of another compelling figure at this week’s US Women’s Open: Korda’s biggest threat.
If not for Korda, Jeeno Thitikul could be the best women’s golfer in 2026. We mean that literally — Thitikul sits second in the current Rolex rankings, behind only Korda — but also tentatively, because Thitikul is probably the only player on the LPGA others that Korda whose success is measured by the lack of rounds in the fight, not by their existence.
Korda, who is 27, and Thitikul, 23, have developed a friendly rivalry at the top of the women’s game – exchanging the title of world No. 1 and no shortage of press attention over the past year. This week, at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, they are chasing the highest honor in women’s golf: a US Women’s Open title.
Unlike Korda, Thitikul has not yet penetrated the diplomas. But her journey to improvement has inspired Thitikul to keep a close eye on her rival, and on Monday afternoon at the Riv, she revealed the lesson Korda has taught her: The Power of Light.
“I think she’s always one of the players that — I don’t really (see) practice that much during the tournament,” Thitikul said. “I just always see her on the driving range just before her time. Then (after she’s done playing), she probably just putts a few balls and then goes home.”
To Thitikuli, Korda’s approach initially seemed a little backward: Try less. But then she realized that Korda might be on to something. Part of the world No. 1’s success can be attributed to her sense of poise during the weeks of the tournament, and part of her poise came from her ability to ease off the gas.
“I feel like, especially this year she mentioned that she changed her mindset a little bit,” Thitikul said. “It just feels like she plays a lot in Florida, and then she (goes to events) just to play golf.”
In Thitikul’s eyes, there was something about Korda’s ability to zone out, to spend weeks of the tournament focused more than on swing maintenance or on-course preparation, that seemed to fuel her success.
“If you work hard and you don’t allow your body to enjoy rest and relaxation, especially the week of the tournament, I think it’s going to be a disadvantage more than an advantage,” Thitikul said. “It really inspires me to see him doing what he’s doing now.”
In the end, Thitikul said, there was something revealing about this approach from the world No. 1. Her success on this course was due to her movement, but her mindset may have been even more impressive.
“She’s a fast player, which is my favorite,” Thitikul said with a laugh. “It’s just great to see somebody who’s good and good, and then we’re just hanging out and trying to do the same things to get better together.”
