Main Story: Nelly Korda has won the LPGA’s 2026 Player of the Year award after Jeeno Thitikul and Miyu Yamashita withdrew from the Annika field, mathematically ending their chances. The award lifts Korda to 26 Hall of Fame points—one short of eligibility. A win at either of her final two starts would put her in the Hall before the end of the month.

By the Numbers
  • Korda has 26 of the 27 points required for Hall of Fame eligibility.
  • She has four wins in 2026, with three events remaining on the schedule.
  • Her scoring average is 69.38, but she cannot qualify for the Vare Trophy because she won’t reach the 70-round minimum.
Yes, But

Korda is just 28, but she wouldn’t become the youngest Hall of Fame inductee: Lydia Ko was 27 years, 3 months and 17 days old when she qualified in 2024. Korda has said she avoids tracking her Hall of Fame points to keep from adding pressure.

What’s Next

Korda can reach the Hall of Fame threshold with a victory at the Annika or the CME Group Championship, her final two starts of 2026.

Bottom Line

Korda’s latest award has brought her within one point of golf’s highest honor—and she can earn that final point on the course before the year ends.