Relive her 18th LPGA Tour victory at 2026 Riviera Maya Open in Mayakoba, Nelly Korda joined him The Pat McAfee Show on Monday to discuss it the last major championship winher dominance of the game and even the evolution of her swing.
But the most valuable takeaway came when Korda discovered the key her famous liquid swing.
When asked by McAfee how her swing has changed since she started playing, Korda was quick to credit her swing coach, David Whelan, who she explained played a critical role in shaping her current swing. Korda also credited her parents’ early influence, saying it was a simple nudge from her father that helped her maintain her steady pace throughout her career.
“(My parents) spent so many hours with me just working on the beat,” Korda said, “that was the only thing they instilled in my brain. My dad always referred to it as ‘coca-cola . . .”
What started out as a simple childhood cue for building rhythm became the foundation of the whole Chord rhythm. Her “coca-cola” mantra is not about literal time, but about preventing any sense of haste. By anchoring her rhythm to that easy, two-beat cadence, she developed the range necessary to move smoothly.
“That was the key,” she continued, “It was very simple, but it was the key to having a very fluid swing.”
If you want to build this into your swing, start at half speed. Take a few practice swings focusing only on a steady rhythm, not mechanics. Once it feels natural, gradually increase the speed while maintaining your own pace.
You can use your transition as a checkpoint. If your swing feels jerky or rushed as you start the downswing, your rhythm is probably off. Remember, good swings stay calm during this change of direction.
