Nelly Korda Shines Bright in SI Swimsuits Elite List After Achieving What LPGA Superstars Never Could

Nelly Korda is one of the finest golfers the golf industry has, and of course, her No.1 status makes this obvious as well. But with all that success comes even bigger fame, and she’s handling it like a pro, leveling up every day.

Just recently, Sports Illustrated announced Korda as one of the rookies for their 2025 swimsuit issue, which has already hit 1 million views on Instagram. Now that’s a milestone worth the celebration. According to a post on X by NellyLegion, “As of today, 51 reels have been posted by SI since then. And only 4 including NKs video have done 1M+.

It seems like only yesterday when SI announced back in November 2024, that Korda would be the first person photographed for their 2025 swimsuit issue. But it’s not like she’s a stranger to big moments outside of golf. Back in May, she attended the Met Gala in Manhattan. She’s the only LPGA player to ever attend and the first golfer since Tiger Woods to do so. And of course, how can we not mention, she’s the first LPGA player to appear in the SI swimsuit issue since Natalie Gulbis back in 2012?

While Korda is the first confirmed athlete for the 2025 issue, she isn’t the only one. SI’s swimsuit editor-in-chief MJ Day said as per GolfDigest, “We are thrilled to launch our shoot season for the 2025 issue with an extraordinary lineup of powerful female athletes. This remarkable group, featuring Olympic medalists, world champions, and record holders, embodies the next generation of all-stars poised to transform the world of sports. They defy stereotypes and champion equality, inspiring young girls to envision themselves as both athletes and leaders.”