American golfer Nelly Korda has secured the 2026 Rolex Player of the Year award for the second time in her 10-year LPGA Tour career. The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) confirmed the achievement with three tournaments remaining in the season.
The 28-year-old earned the honour after building an unassailable lead in the points standings, following an impressive campaign that included four tournament victories. She previously received the prestigious award in 2024.
Korda maintained her position at the top of the Player of the Year standings after winning the Chevron Championship earlier in the season. She entered the LPGA Tour’s Asian swing with a 75-point advantage over her closest competitors, including South Korea’s Haeran Ryu, Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul and Japan’s Miyu Yamashita. Her consistent performances throughout the season made it increasingly difficult for the other contenders to close the gap.
Her 2026 campaign included victories at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, the Chevron Championship, the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba and the US Women’s Open. Two of those victories came at major championships, further strengthening her position in the season-long points race. Her performances established her as one of the leading players on the women’s professional golf circuit.
The award was mathematically secured after Ryu withdrew from the Maybank Championship before the opening round, while Yamashita and Thitikul did not enter The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican before the registration deadline. Both Japanese and Thai players would have needed multiple victories to overtake Korda. With the remaining opportunities no longer sufficient to bridge the points gap, Korda was confirmed as the season’s top player.
The Rolex Player of the Year award was introduced in 1966 and is decided through a points system based on players’ performances at official LPGA Tour events. Competitors earn points through top-10 finishes, with points doubled at the five major championships. The winner receives one point towards qualification for the LPGA Hall of Fame, making the award particularly significant in Korda’s career.
With her latest achievement, Korda has reached 26 points towards the LPGA Hall of Fame’s 27-point qualification requirement. She now needs just one additional point, which she can earn by winning an official LPGA Tour event or securing another qualifying achievement. The American is expected to receive the award at the Rolex LPGA Awards ceremony on November 17 during the week of the CME Group Tour Championship.