# Nelly Korda Leads LPGA Player of Year Race

> Nelly Korda edges toward LPGA Player of the Year with rivals facing near-impossible catch-up.
- Title: Nelly Korda Leads LPGA Player of Year Race · EssentiallySports
- Summary: Nelly Korda edges toward LPGA Player of the Year with rivals facing near-impossible catch-up. Nelly Korda could win her second LPGA Player of the Year award…
- Keywords: nelly korda, lpga, player of the year, haeran ryu, jeeno thitikul, mizu yamashita, cmegroup tour championship, sports, Nelly, Korda, Leads, Player
- Source: EssentiallySports — https://essentiallysports.com/golf-news-nelly-korda-on-brink-of-lpga-player-of-the-year-honor-as-rival-faces-near-impossible-catch-up
- Author: Sudeep Sinha
- Published: 2026-10-21T22:13:22+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nelly korda, lpga, player of the year, haeran ryu, jeeno thitikul, mizu yamashita, cmegroup tour championship, sports
## Nelly Korda's Lead
Nelly Korda holds a 75-point lead over Haeran Ryu in the LPGA Player of the Year race.
## Ryu's Catch-Up Challenge
Haeran Ryu needs three wins or two victories with runner-up finishes and eighth-place results to overtake Korda.
## Thitikul's Path
Jeeno Thitikul trails Korda by 84 points and needs three tournament wins to overtake her.
## Yamashita's Challenge
Mizu Yamashita requires four tournament wins to surpass Korda but competes in all five remaining events.
## Korda's Hall of Fame Goal
Korda would earn one Hall of Fame point, taking her total to 26 with 27 needed for induction.
## Key takeaway

Nelly Korda could win her second LPGA Player of the Year award before the season ends, with rivals needing improbable wins to overtake her.