Nelly Korda and her father, Petr, are making their fourth appearance at the PNC Championship in Orlando this week, so they know what to expect of each other.
But one thing the Kordas have not done before is play with Fred Couples, the 1992 Masters champion. Couples is playing with his stepson, Hunter Hanneman, for the first time this week.
Tournament officials then decided to put Team Korda and Team Couples together for the first round on Saturday.
“I’m super excited to play with Fred Couples, personally, so sorry, Dad,” Nelly said.
“That’s the highlight of my week right now.”
Korda had never met Couples before Friday’s Pro-Am.
“I’ve seen his swing,” Korda added.
“Met him for the first time in person this morning on the range, and getting to see that tempo all day will be really nice.”
Couples has long had the smoothest swing in all of golf. Fans, fellow players, and the media alike have fawned over it for decades, often saying that every golfer should try to emulate their swings like his. That said, back issues have plagued him in recent years, which helps explain why he has six woods in his bag this week. Still, Couples has never lost that nice, easy-going tempo and is thrilled to be back playing competitively this week.
He is also excited to play with the Kordas.
“We’re really excited about [playing with the Kordas] because Hunter and I will be on the same tees as Nelly,” Couples said.
“We’ll settle each other down a little bit and have a good time.”
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.
