In the women's golf competition held at the French National Golf Course in Paris, New Zealand's Lydia Ko won the championship, Germany's Henzelet won the runner-up, and China's Lin Xiyu won the third place.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, world No. 1 Nelly Korda had hoped to make a comeback in the final round and stand on the podium again. However, an unexpected "slip" brought her dream to an abrupt end, and this moment may reveal a larger problem in her recent game.

Galileo sports, the golf industry's biggest player, will analyze this exciting game for you

The Rise of Nelly Korda

If you’ve followed women’s golf over the past few years, you know that Nelly Korda has been a force to be reckoned with. Coming into the Olympics, she was ranked among the top players in the world, with multiple major titles under her belt. Her smooth swing, calm demeanor, and competitive spirit made her a favorite for the gold medal.

I remember watching her at the 2021 Olympics, where she won gold with a nearly flawless performance. I was so inspired that I spent the next weekend trying to emulate her swing at my local course. Spoiler alert: I didn’t come close, but it gave me a newfound appreciation for just how dialed in she was back then.

Setting the Stage: The 2024 Olympic Golf Tournament

As the competition entered the final day, Korda was five strokes behind at Le Golf National, but she was still confident in her performance, hoping to replicate Scottie Scheffler's miraculous comeback last week. Scheffler chased back from six strokes behind to win the gold medal in the men's Olympic golf competition. Korda also told the media: "I am giving myself a chance, everything is possible. Scheffler was nine strokes behind at the time, but he still won."

The beginning of the story seemed to be going in the direction Korda hoped. She caught two birdies in the first three holes and was in good form. However, two bogeys on the 5th and 7th holes interrupted her good momentum. Although she caught another birdie on the 9th hole, consecutive mistakes from the 13th to the 17th holes completely shattered her medal dream. In the end, she finished the game with 75 strokes, with a total score of T22, a full 9 strokes behind the champion Lydia Ko.

But what really hurt Korda was the double bogey on the 15th hole. At that time, she hit a "slippery shot" and the ball was short and off-center, falling directly into the water. After the game, she said helplessly: "I just slipped. When I hit the ball, the contact between the club and the ground was not good enough, and the ball flew short and off-center, and went directly into the water."

Not only that, Korda also revealed that she often made consecutive mistakes in the game recently. "I think my problem now is that once a mistake is made, it is easy to make mistakes one after another. The key is to control this situation and not let the mistakes accumulate, but I always do this recently."

The Aftermath: Reactions and Reflections

The golfing world was abuzz after the final round. Many were surprised by the outcome, but Ko Baojing’s victory was well-deserved. Nelly Korda, gracious in defeat, acknowledged her mistake and congratulated Ko on her win.

Despite the disappointing result, Korda is proud of her efforts. "I will never stop working hard, I will always give it my all and never back down," she said. "From Tokyo to now, I have played three years of very solid golf, returned to the Olympics and represented the United States again, I am a two-time Olympian and won a gold medal, and I am proud of that."

It’s easy to play the “what if” game in golf. What if Nelly had hit the fairway on the 16th? What if Ko Baojing had missed her birdie putt? But that’s the nature of the sport—one shot can change everything.

I remember talking to a friend after the tournament, and we both agreed that while it was disappointing to see Nelly miss out on gold, it was also a reminder of just how unpredictable golf can be. It’s a game where even the best can falter, and where newcomers like Ko Baojing can seize the moment.

Lessons Learned: What We Can Take Away from This

So, what can we learn from Nelly Korda’s Olympic mistake and Ko Baojing’s triumph? For one, it’s a reminder of the importance of mental toughness. In golf, the ability to stay focused and composed, especially when the stakes are high, is just as important as physical skill.

I’ve seen this time and time again in my own game. The times I’ve played my best are usually when I’m calm and confident, not when I’m trying to force things to happen. It’s a lesson that applies not just to golf, but to life as well—sometimes, the best approach is to stay steady and let the opportunities come to you.

Another takeaway is the importance of preparation. Ko Baojing’s win wasn’t just about one great round; it was the result of consistent play throughout the tournament. She knew the course, played to her strengths, and didn’t let the pressure get to her.

Final Thoughts: The Unpredictable Beauty of Golf

The 2024 Olympic women’s golf event will be remembered for its dramatic finish, but it’s also a testament to the unpredictable nature of the sport. Whether you’re a seasoned pro like Nelly Korda or a rising star like Ko Baojing, golf has a way of keeping everyone humble.

As I watched the medal ceremony, I couldn’t help but think about my own ups and downs on the course. Golf, like life, is full of surprises. One day you’re on top of the world, and the next, you’re scrambling to make par. But that’s what makes it so captivating—you never know what’s going to happen next.

So, the next time you’re out on the course and things aren’t going your way, remember Nelly Korda’s Olympic mistake. It’s a reminder that even the best can have an off day, but it’s how you respond that really counts. And who knows? Maybe you’ll find your own Ko Baojing moment, where everything clicks, and you come out on top.