LPGA superstar Nelly Korda joins an All-Star roster of more than 20 professional golfers who have appeared in PGA Tour 2K23 video game July 5.
An eight-time LPGA Tour winner, with one major win, became the fourth female professional golfer available on the PGA Tour 2K23 roster. In addition to Korda, the game features LPGA Tour players Lexi Thompson, Lydia Ko, and Brooke Henderson as well as PGA Tour players Tiger Woods, Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa, Tony Finau, and more.
Now, fans and players can play for or against Korda at more than 26 officially licensed PGA Tour courses, including Pebble Beach Golf Links – site of the 78th US Women’s Open, which begins Thursday. This week, Korda will be one of 156 female golfers in the world to play on Pebble Beach for the first time in women’s history.
“This is the first time I’ve played Pebble,” Korda told ESPN. “When I was a kid I would literally play golf games playing Pebble in the video game. It was something I did with my brother [professional tennis player Sebastian Korda] as a bonding experience. …it’s emotional. “
Korda, who won the 2021 KPMG Women’s Championship, added, “People will watch me play Pebble and then play with me, play like me at Pebble. I think that’s going to be really cool, really special.”
Last year, when Korda found out she was being added to the 2k roster, she said it was “mind-blowing,” and within minutes of finding out, she texted her brother to tell him the big news. Sebastian replied in a text message: “Oh my God! This was our dream when we were growing up!”
When choosing an avatar growing up, Korda said she always chooses Woods. Now, players can choose it. Korda said she can’t believe how accurate her avatar looks in the game, even in her facial expressions.
“Finally, to have someone who looks like me, and have a collection, clubs, clothes to wear too. It’s just incredible,” Korda said.
With history being made this week at Pebble Beach, it’s not lost on Korda how massive it is for her to be included on the PGA Tour 2K23.
“I think it’s really important…it’s another way to develop the game,” Korda said. “A lot of people, they don’t know about golf or maybe they’re afraid to try it. I think that’s another way to get people interested. It’s one step, one small step, and then they take the big one and get out for the real deal.”
Korda added that she hopes to see players like Jin Young Ko and Rose Zhang added to the 2k roster.
“The more additions they make, the better the game.”