Nelly Korda'S California Dreams Get Taxed: A $1 Million Surprise

A Rollercoaster Win at Riviera

Nelly Korda recently clinched the prestigious U.S. Women's Open at the iconic Riviera Country Club, marking her second consecutive major victory. With it came a historic payout of $2.5 million, the largest in women's major golf history. However, much like the unpredictable waves along the Malibu coast, her triumph came with its own set of challenges.

Korda managed to fend off strong competition from Charley Hull and Gaby Lopez, securing her win with a nail-biting 2-and-a-half-foot par putt. Finishing at an impressive 8-under for the tournament, she took a moment to wipe away tears of joy – and perhaps a hint of stress – at her nerve-wracking victory.

“I feel like I'm in a dream,” Korda expressed with emotion during her post-tournament interview, giving a nod to the dedicated fans who cheered her on through every swing.

The Taxing Reality

Despite the joyous occasion, Korda's celebration was dampened by the sobering reality of taxes. Since the tournament unfolded on Californian soil, her winnings are considered California source income, even though Korda calls Florida home. This means a significant chunk of her earnings will be lost to both federal and state taxes.

Crunching the numbers, the estimated federal tax could dock her around $925,000. With California's nonresident tax adding roughly another $300,000, Korda may see more than $1 million of her prize money disappear, leaving her with approximately $1.25 million to $1.3 million net.

Navigating the Leaderboard

Even with the tax deductions, this victory propels Korda up the LPGA's all-time earnings list, edging her closer to the top alongside golfing greats like Lexi Thompson and Lorena Ochoa. Before this win, Korda's official LPGA earnings stood at $12.5 million, placing her 18th in tour history.

Korda's continued partnership with her caddie Jason McDede, who has been pivotal since 2018, brings strategic depth to her game. As she stands at the cusp of entering the top 10 on the earnings leaderboard, her journey reflects both the triumphs and trials faced by athletes in the spotlight of their careers.