Sunday at iconic Riviera Country ClubWorld number 1 Nelly Korda is in search of history.
A late birdie run on Saturday has him tied for the lead and 18 holes away from capturing her first US Women’s Open title. If she is successful, she will also accomplish a feat that no American woman has accomplished in more than 60 years.
A key to Korda’s recent success, as she explained in her press conference Saturday night, was a “change in mindset” that led her to enter one of the greatest contests in golf history.
But Korda also discovered the secret that helped her successfully change her attitude. It’s a habit she spends every morning in the bathroom, a trick inspired by other professional athletes and one that could see her climb to the top of the mountain on Sunday.
Korda’s bathroom post-it notes have her own noteworthy history at the US Women’s Open
At the US Women’s Open last year, Korda came very close to getting the job done. But she faltered on the back nine to finish T2a common pattern in her career up to that point.
On Saturday, she explained that last year she “really, really loved him” but it became a problem because “the more you love him sometimes, the more hardened you become and a little bit more nervous.”
In the offseason, she pinpointed the source of the problem: her attitude. She explained that frustrations often got the best of her on the course, leading to poor play at major tournaments.
The fix? To promote a positive and relaxed attitude on the course.
“That’s kind of my attitude this year like no matter what you throw at me, if I get a fat jump here or there, I’m going to end up in a split like I’ll figure it out…” Korda said. “Because I think the worst thing you can be, which I still am, is a perfectionist in this sport. It drives you crazy when you keep missing a divot or you’re on a divot by an inch here and there, or you hit a great putt and it just goes out.”
She continued: “Like those frustrations throughout the round can really set in when things don’t go your way.”
Korda explained this she talked to many people close to her to help change her attitude. Some tough love from her fiance was also crucial, “He always tells me, ‘You have to be a little more positive,'” Korda said with a laugh Saturday.
But while others can help him with a change in attitude, Korda explained that “the only person at the end of the day who can change that is me.”
To create a positive new image, Korda started a new bathroom routine this year. She writes positive notes to herself on post-it notes and tapes them to the bathroom mirror when she’s getting ready.
“I started at the beginning of the year writing positive notes to myself in my bathroom,” Korda revealed on Saturday. “And I’ve seen a bunch of athletes do it. So other athletes inspire me as well. I started doing that and it’s a great reminder and I do it every now and then here and there.”
She keeps the routine even on the road.
“I travel with post-it notes and stick them on the mirror when I get ready and write a positive note to myself and that’s my thought for the week,” Korda explained.
But Korda refused to share what her bathroom post thought about this week.
“No, no, that’s all me.”
Nelly Korda’s Eyes has not been performed in 60 years on Sunday
So far, you can only argue that Korda’s new bathroom routine has been a success. She has three wins already this season and three runners-up. One of those wins was one the big triumph in the Chevron Championshipthe third major title of her career.
After 67s at Riviera on Friday and Saturday, Korda is tied with Sei Young Kim at 6 under.
If she were to claim her fourth major championship victory on Sunday, and her first US Women’s Open title, she would be the first American professional to do so in a long, long time.
The last American woman golfer to win four majors was Hall of Famer Mickey Wright. She accomplished this feat in 1960… 66 years ago.
Korda would also give her three career Grand Slams. Despite the fact that there are now five majors in women’s golf, a player only needs to win four of them to be considered a Grand Slam champion.
Better yet? With a win on Sunday, Korda will have won her first two events of the season, keeping alive her hopes of a season-long Grand Slam.
