“I Thought I’d Never Make It Back” – Nelly Korda Opens Up About Harrowing Boat Cruise Incident That Shook Her to the Core
In a recent emotional interview, world No. 1 golfer Nelly Korda revealed the details of a terrifying incident that occurred during a private boat cruise late last year — an experience she says left her “forever changed.”
What began as a peaceful getaway with close friends off the coast of Florida quickly turned into a nightmare when an unexpected storm rolled in. High winds, crashing waves, and a mechanical failure left the boat stranded miles from shore with no immediate rescue in sight.
“We were completely at the mercy of the ocean,” Korda recalled. “The sky went dark in minutes. Waves were slamming into us, and we lost power. For a moment, I thought we weren’t going to make it back.”
Korda admitted she tried to remain calm for the sake of those on board, but inside, panic was rising. “I’ve faced pressure on the biggest golf stages in the world — major championships, playoffs — but nothing compares to feeling helpless in open water,” she said.
After nearly two hours adrift, a nearby vessel responded to their distress signal and helped tow the boat back to safety. While no one was physically harmed, Korda confessed the mental and emotional toll lingered long after.
“I didn’t talk about it at first. It felt too heavy. But that day made me appreciate life in a completely different way,” she shared.
Golf fans worldwide have since flooded social media with messages of support, expressing shock over the ordeal and admiration for Korda’s strength in sharing such a personal story.
Though she’s back on tour and in top form, Korda says the experience gave her a new perspective: “I’m lucky to be here. Lucky to do what I love. And I’ll never take that for granted again.”
