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LPGA Star Nelly Korda Announces Heartbreaking Loss

Originally posted on The Spun | By Matt Hladik | Last updated Apr 29, 2025 2:10 PM ET

LPGA Tour star Nelly Korda announced some awful personal news on Tuesday.

Korda, 26, is a 14-time LPGA winner, including a pair of major victories at the 2021 Women's PGA Championship and 2024 Chevron Championship. The 2024 LPGA Tour Player of the Year, Korda won five times last season, returning to the world No. 1 ranking, a distinction she has maintained so far in 2025.

Sadly, Korda is not feeling very happy today. Her beloved cat Rafi passed away, news Korda revealed on her Instagram story Tursday.

"15 years of amazing memories. You left the world with a big piece of my heart. RIP Rafi," Korda wrote.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 06: Nelly Korda attends The 2024 Met Gala Celebrating "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

In a subsequent slide, Korda added that Rafi had made her "a crazy cat lady."

"Now, I'm just a crazy lady," she said. "Sending lots and lots of belly rubs to heaven."

Clearly, Rafi had a tremendous impact on the Bradenton, Florida native.

"I hope everybody experiences a unconditional, cuddly love like this in their lifetime," Korda said.

SAMMAMISH, WASHINGTON - JUNE 20: Nelly Korda of the United States hits a tee shot on the fifth hole during the first round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Sahalee Country Club on June 20, 2024 in Sammamish, Washington. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Our condolences to Korda on the loss of her treasured pet.

So far this year, Korda is still looking for her first victory. She finished second at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions back in February and came in 14th at the Chevron Championship last weekend, the first major on the schedule.

Next month will be a big one for Korda away from the course. She's set to make her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut when the magazine drops on newsstands.

“I’m not used to doing anything like that,” Korda admitted about posing for SI. “I think that’s what’s great about these opportunities, is that you do get to step outside your comfort zone and do something different. I was just really excited for the opportunity to do this. I mean, it was so cool. The whole crew was amazing. By the end of the day, I was having so much fun with them.”

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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