Nelly Korda has opened up on what it means to win Olympic gold for Team USA as a golfer, just days after Scottie Scheffler achieved the feat in the men's event in Paris.
Korda will defend her Olympic gold medal at Le Golf National after being crowned champion by three shots in Tokyo three years ago. Golf's place in the Olympics is a fairly new one, having returned to the summer Games in 2016 after over 100 years away.
The importance of the Olympic event within the sport has been questioned by many, with those currently competing at the top of the game having grown up dreaming of major victories rather than a gold medal for their country.
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Korda is one of the select few of golfers who has achieved both, with her achievements coming in the same year back in 2021. Having won the Women's PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club that summer, she followed up her maiden major win with Olympic gold just weeks later.
While becoming a major champion is at the top of the bucket list of every golfer, becoming an Olympic champion also proved special for the LPGA Tour star. "I think they are two such amazing accomplishments. I think that I've always said with every win you're overcoming something or every win has a story," she said in Paris.
"Getting to share the Olympic experience, even though it was very unique with not getting to watch other sports and not having fans out here, at least get to go share that with my sister was such an amazing experience. I didn't really know what emotions I was going to have until I stood on the stage.
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"As a kid, I watched so many athletes and all their raw emotions on that podium when their flag goes up and the National Anthem. And when I finally got to do it myself, there was a massive rush of emotions that went through me. I had a couple of tears roll down my face.
"It was an amazing experience, obviously, and I cherish and I'm grateful for every situation I'm in, every single time I can go down the stretch and I'm in contention. When it comes to majors and an Olympic Medal, that's the reason why we are out there so long and grinding and pushing ourselves in the gym and on the golf course is for those moments."
A similar sentiment was shared by her male teammate Scheffler, who like Korda, has won a major crown and Olympic gold in the same season having won the Masters in April. The world No. 1's emotions were clear to see on Sunday, breaking down into tears after taking his place on top of the Olympic podium.
"I would say first and foremost I'm proud of the country I'm from. I'm proud to be American," Scheffler said Sunday. I got emotional the other night watching the Gold Medal ceremony for the women's gymnastics. I take tremendous pride in coming over here and representing my country.
"And yeah, same thing, like when you go to a sporting event, you hear everybody in the stands singing the National Anthem, it's a pretty special thing to be a part of, and I think that's something we take tremendous pride in. It was just very emotional being up there on stage there as the flag is being raised and sitting there singing the National Anthem. Yes, that's definitely one I'll remember for a long time."
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