The secret to Nelly Korda’s success? This new bathroom technique
On Sunday at the famous Riviera Country Club, World No. 1 Nelly Korda hunts for history.
A late run of birdies on Saturday moved her into a tie for the lead and 18 holes to claim her first US Women’s Open title. If she succeeds, she will again do something that no American woman has done in more than 60 years.
One key to Korda’s recent success, as he explained in his press conference Saturday night, is the “change in mindset” that led to one of the greatest runs in golf history.
But Korda also revealed a secret that helped him change his attitude effectively. It’s a routine he goes into every morning in the bathroom, a tactic inspired by other professional athletes, and one that can see him at the mountain summit on Sunday.
The notes on the back of Korda’s bathroom have a history she watched at the US Women’s Open
At last year’s US Women’s Open, Korda came incredibly close to getting the job done. But he fell short in the back nine to finish T2, a common pattern in his career up to that point.
On Saturday, she explained that last year she “really wanted it,” but that was a problem, because “the more you want it sometimes the stronger and more nervous you become.”
Last season, he identified the source of the problem: his attitude. He explained that frustration often gets the better of him on the course, leading to him not playing well in major tournaments.
Repair? To promote a positive, problem-free attitude in the course.
“That’s been my attitude this year it’s like what the heck, if I’m going to get a stupid bounce here or there I’m going to end up going into a divot like I’m going to figure it out…” Korda said. “Because I think that’s the worst thing you can be, but I still am, you’re a perfectionist in this game. It drives you nuts when you keep missing a divot or a divot by a centimeter here and there, or you hit a good putt and it just goes out.”
He continued: “Like that frustration in every round can really build up if things don’t go your way.”
Korda explained that he talked to many people close to him to help him change his attitude. Some tough love from her son-in-law was also important, “He always tells me, ‘You need to be more positive,'” Korda said with a laugh Saturday.
But while others can help him change his attitude, Korda explained that “the only person who can change that is myself at the end of the day.”
To make the new idea stick, Korda started a new bathroom trend this year. She writes cute notes to herself on post-it notes and tapes them to the bathroom mirror when she gets ready.
“I started at the beginning of the year writing cute notes to myself in my bathroom,” Korda said Saturday. “And I’ve seen a lot of athletes do that. So other athletes inspire me, too. I started doing that and it’s a good reminder and I do it occasionally here and there.”
He keeps the schedule on track, too.
“I go with sticky notes and I stick to the mirror when I’m ready and I write a nice note to myself and that’s my thought for the week,” Korda explained.
But Korda refused to reveal what his bathroom note thought was this week.
“No, no, it’s just me.”
Nelly Korda’s eyes didn’t come true in 60 years on Sunday
So far, you can only argue that the new Korda bathroom has been a success. He has won three times this season and three times he has finished second. One of those victories was a major win at the Chevron Championship, the third major title of his career.
After back-to-back 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 title on Sunday, and her first US Women’s Open title, she would become the first American champion to do so in a long, long time.
The last American golfer to win four majors was Hall of Famer Mickey Wright. He accomplished the work back in 1960… 66 years ago.
It would also give Korda three career Grand Slam legs. 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.
Is it better? With a victory on Sunday, Korda will have won the first two majors of the season, keeping his hopes of a single-season Grand Slam alive.
