World No 1 Nelly Korda withdraws from tournament after dog bite incident
- World's top-ranked female golfer Nelly Korda forced to withdraw from tournament due to a dog bite injury.
- This is the second time this season that a dog bite has affected a prominent LPGA player.
- Korda needs time to recover from the injury before returning to competitive play.
In a surprising turn of events, world No. 1 women's golfer Nelly Korda has announced her withdrawal from the upcoming Ladies European Tour (LET) event in England due to a dog bite incident. Korda, who confirmed the injury in an Instagram post, expressed her regret and the need for time to recover fully from the incident that occurred in Seattle last weekend. The Aramco Team Series tournament, where Korda was set to compete, is scheduled to begin in Hemel Hempstead on Wednesday and conclude on July 5. Korda, a three-time Ladies European Tour winner, did not provide further details about the dog bite incident but extended her apologies to the LET, sponsors, and fans for her absence. This unexpected setback comes after Korda missed the cut at the recent Women's PGA Championship in Sammamish, Washington, marking her third consecutive tournament without making it to the weekend. The 25-year-old golfer's return to competitive golf remains uncertain, with the next scheduled event being the Amundi Evian Championship starting on July 11 in France. The dog bite incident that led to Korda's withdrawal from the LET event is the second time this season that a prominent LPGA player has been sidelined due to such an injury. Earlier this year, American golfer Alison Lee faced a similar situation after being bitten by her boyfriend's rescue dog, resulting in hospitalization and surgery to address the infection. Korda's unexpected absence from the upcoming tournament adds to the challenges she has faced in recent competitions, including a notable slump in form following her win in New Jersey in mid-May. Despite her recent struggles on the course, Korda maintains a significant lead over the world's No. 2 golfer in the Rolex rankings, with her return to competitive play potentially taking place at one of the LPGA's major events, such as the Evian Championship in July. As fans await Korda's comeback, the golfing community shows support for her recovery and hopes for a swift return to the sport she excels in.