It was like Nelly Korda did not want to check patience for the inevitable. Wasting no time, she showed off her hands as a 4-year-old when the clubs were still her height. By 14, she was already competing in the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open at Sebonack Golf Club to tie for T-64. Her transition to the professional world was also smooth through the Symetra Tour win in 2016. No doubt, the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) helped her build confidence and create a legacy from a very young age for all this to be possible.
So, after earning the bragging rights of being the World No. 1 and the face of the LPGA, when it was time to help other young girls to experience what she did as an amateur golfer, the 8x LPGA Tour winner completed her “full circle moment” with The Nelly Invitational in 2024. After rounding up a field of 53 players in the first season where Aphrodite Deng took the cake, creating multiple records for the event, the Invitational has returned.
This time, it is a bigger house, a bigger stage, and with much more at stake. Entering its second edition set for May 1-4, Nelly announced the new $290 billion worth sponsor in February – Chevron – which is ready to amp-up the competition, the prizes, and visibility of junior female golfers. So, with a similar vision for women’s golf — the one of success and growth — Nelly Korda is all grateful.
Sitting with KHOU 11’s Zack Tawatari, Korda discussed Chevron’s contributions to golf. Tawatari asked, “This tournament (The Chevron Championship) also has excellent tradition of supporting amateurs and I know that they are actually gonna be sponsoring your Invitational, The Nelly Invitational, and the amateur winner is gonna have an opportunity to have a direct exemption into the 2026 Chevron Championship. Tell me a little bit about that relationship and how special that is for you to help someone else maybe start their own legacy.”
Korda responded, “I can’t thank Chevron enough for coming in and once again elevating something like my AJGA event.”
Introduction of Chevron as their latest sponsor is a huge boost for the Nelly Invitational. According to AJGA’s announcement earlier, the event will make history by awarding the tournament champion an exemption into the following year’s The Chevron Championship. It will be the first-ever AJGA tournament to offer a direct entry into a major championship.
“For the girls to get a chance to play, to compete in a major championship… Myself, I played in this championship twice as an amateur and I learned so much from it. So, for them to come in and once again support and elevate the game of women’s golf speaks volumes on their character and what they’re committed to. For me to be just a small part of that feels really really great. But we had this amazing vision for my junior event and I’m just so happy that they came on board and have continued to elevate it,” Korda added.
As an amateur, Nelly has participated in the 2015 Harder Hall Invitational, 2015 PING Invitational, and swept the 2015 AJGA Rolex Junior All-American. She also represented the USA in 13-11 win in the 2015 Junior Solheim Cup.
Welcoming the sponsor, Korda has previously mentioned, “I’m thrilled to welcome Chevron to The Nelly Invitational. With their support, we’re creating an event that not only brings together some of the best girls from around the world but also provides a platform to inspire and empower the next generation. Chevron’s investment helps us build on last year’s success and take this event even further.”
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