EXTREME PAIN! Nelly Korda burst into tears after being betrayed and insulted by her own American fans at the Buick LPGA Shanghai 2025. The world’s No. 1 star shared: “I couldn’t imagine!” The incident forced the LPGA to officially apologize!
The 2025 Buick LPGA Shanghai was meant to be another shining moment in Nelly Korda’s remarkable career. As the world’s No. 1 player and one of the biggest ambassadors of women’s golf, Korda entered the tournament with confidence, grace, and the usual wave of support from around the world. But what unfolded on that emotional weekend shocked the sporting community and left Korda in visible distress. For the first time, she found herself facing harsh words—not from critics or rivals—but from a small group of her own American fans.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as “heartbreaking.” During the third round, while Korda was walking toward the 14th green, several fans in the gallery reportedly shouted insults questioning her loyalty and authenticity. One onlooker claimed that the comments accused her of “forgetting her roots” and “playing only for money.” The normally composed golfer tried to stay focused, but cameras caught her wiping away tears as she lined up her next shot. Moments later, she was seen whispering to her caddie, clearly shaken.
After finishing the round, Korda skipped her usual post-match interview and left the course quietly. Later that evening, she addressed the situation in a brief social media post that quickly went viral. “I couldn’t imagine hearing those words,” she wrote. “I’ve always played with pride for my country, for my family, and for everyone who believes in me. What happened today hurt more than any loss I’ve ever experienced.”
The post drew an immediate outpouring of sympathy from fans, fellow players, and media figures around the world. Prominent LPGA stars such as Lydia Ko, Brooke Henderson, and Jin Young Ko publicly expressed their support, praising Korda’s composure and condemning the inappropriate behavior. Within hours, the LPGA issued an official statement of apology, calling the incident “deeply regrettable” and reaffirming its commitment to maintaining respect and professionalism among spectators.
“We sincerely apologize to Nelly Korda for the hurtful remarks directed at her during the tournament,” the statement read. “Such behavior does not reflect the values of the LPGA or the spirit of sportsmanship we strive to uphold.” Tournament organizers also announced plans to strengthen security and spectator conduct policies to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Despite the emotional toll, Korda returned to play the final round the next day, greeted by thunderous applause from Chinese fans who offered words of encouragement in both English and Mandarin. Though she finished just shy of the top five, her courage in facing adversity won her even greater admiration. Many called her perseverance “the true victory” of the week.
Sports commentators have since described the event as a defining moment in Korda’s career—a painful reminder of the pressures athletes face even from their own supporters. Yet, as one journalist wrote, “Nelly turned her tears into strength. In a world quick to judge, she reminded everyone that champions are human too.”
Through heartbreak and betrayal, Nelly Korda once again proved that her greatness extends far beyond the scorecard.
