Jessica and Nelly are seen as players fans can connect with, who also win on the courseGETTY IMAGES
LPGA players Jessica and Nelly Korda “potentially can carry the U.S. women’s tour on their back for a while,” according to Golf Channel’s Robert Damron. Both sisters are top 30 in the world rankings (Nelly No. 3, Jessica No. 27) and each have multiple wins on tour -- the 27-year-old Jessica has five titles, while the 22-year-old Nelly has three. The pair grace the cover of the most recent issue of Golf Digest, and Damron noted they “could be superstars beyond just LPGA players." Damron: “There’s actually a lot of responsibility that’s coming their way right now.” Golf Channel’s Paige Mackenzie said of the Kordas, “They’re tall and beautiful people, which doesn’t hurt at all as it relates to marketing, but there is a gracefulness in which they play that goes along with the power in which they play.” Golf Channel’s Ron Sirak said, “Back when Ty Votaw was commissioner of the LPGA, he talked about what he called the five points of celebrity: relevance, approachability, passion and joy, appearance and performance. The Korda sisters check all five boxes. They are the real deal in that they are somebody who connects with the public, connects with the fans, and they win. They’re good, good players. We’re going to see more from them. They are the right people at the right time” (“Morning Drive,” Golf Channel, 11/30).
