GOLF.com: Nelly Korda's 'Do Less' Philosophy Is Inspiring World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul

The 'Do Less' Lesson from the World's Best

Ahead of the U.S. Women's Open at Riviera Country Club, World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul shared a surprisingly counterintuitive insight she has gleaned from studying World No. 1 Nelly Korda: the power of doing less.

Thitikul noted that Korda rarely practices extensively during tournament weeks — a short range session before her tee time, a few putts afterward, then home. What initially seemed backward to Thitikul gradually revealed itself as a core element of Korda's success.

Balance as a Competitive Edge

Korda reportedly shifted her mindset this season, focusing her heavy practice blocks at her home base in Florida and arriving at events simply to compete. By protecting her physical and mental reserves during tournament weeks, Korda appears to sustain a level of consistency few players can match.

Thitikul — still chasing her first major title — sees this philosophy as a blueprint. "If you put too much work in and don't let your body rest, especially during tournament week, it becomes a disadvantage," she said.

A Rivalry Built on Mutual Respect

The two players have traded the World No. 1 ranking over the past year, forging a friendly rivalry that has elevated the women's game. At Riviera, both are chasing the biggest prize in women's golf — and Thitikul is taking notes from the player standing between her and the top.

Strokeslab Editorial Comment

From an SG perspective, Korda's 'less is more' approach may carry measurable benefits: fatigue accumulated through excessive tournament-week practice is a known driver of late-round putting deterioration. Korda's discipline in preserving freshness could be a quantifiable edge, not just a personality trait.