Golf: World No.1 Nelly Korda withdraws from upcoming European Tour event after dog bite

Nelly Korda of The United States plays a shot.
Nelly Korda of The United States plays a shot. Photo credit: Getty Images

World No. 1 golfer Nelly Korda has withdrawn from an upcoming tournament in England after being bitten by a dog.

Korda, 25, announced on Saturday that she will be unable to compete in next week's Ladies European Tour event.

Korda is the defending champion at the Aramco Team Series tournament in Hemel Hempstead, England.

"I regret to announce that I must withdraw from next week's Ladies European Tour tournament in London," Korda said in a statement posted to Instagram.

"On Saturday in Seattle, I was bitten by a dog and need time to receive treatment and recover fully."

Korda, who did not say where on her body she was bitten, missed her third consecutive cut last weekend at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship in Sammamish, Wash.

Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko.
Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko. Photo credit: Getty Images

This recent rough patch comes after a very successful start to the year.

The Florida native won five consecutive tournaments from Jan. 25-28 through April 18-21 -- the first LPGA athlete to do so in almost 20 years, then added her sixth title of the 2024 LPGA season at the Mizuho Americas Open from May 16-19.

Korda's next scheduled tournament is the season's fourth major, the Amundi Evian Championship in France from July 11-14.

The defending Olympic gold medalist is also scheduled to represent the United States at the Summer Games in Paris from August 7-10.

RNZ