Nelly Korda shows true colours with classy gesture at AIG Women's Open

Nelly Korda may not have stepped into the winner's circle at the AIG Women's Open, but the American undoubtedly won a few more fans after an incredible gesture to a young spectator at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

Korda arrived at the final women's major of the year as one of the pre-tournament favourites, having already added to her major haul with a second Chevron Championship title and a maiden U.S. Women’s Open victory at Riviera earlier in the season. 

However, her complicated relationship with links golf will continue after the 28-year-old settled for a share of fourth place alongside Yealimi Noh, carding rounds of 73-68-73-68 in Lancashire.

Before making her exit from Royal Lytham, Korda gave one young fan a memory to last a lifetime by gifting her 3-iron to a little girl waiting in the crowd. 

The Ladies European Tour shared footage of the heart-warming exchange on Instagram, with the moment quickly capturing the attention of golf fans.

The video showed the girl, perched on her father's shoulders, looking stunned and smiling from ear-to-ear as Korda handed over the signed club - a special souvenir from one of the biggest names in the game.

It was another example of Korda’s growing reputation for connecting with the next generation of golfers. 

The world number one regularly takes time to acknowledge young fans at tournaments, whether through signing autographs, posing for pictures, or sharing moments with supporters lining the ropes.

Watch the moment here: 

The gesture was not the first time Korda has shared a memorable exchange with a young fan. 

During the 2024 Paris Olympics, a supporter gifted her a Pikachu keychain on her way to the first tee.  

The present clearly struck a chord with Korda as she later revealed she had kept the keychain attached to her golf bag, adding that she dressed up as Pikachu for Halloween as a child.

Korda also regularly gets gifted sets of Lego during LPGA Tour events.

"It was so cute," Korda previously said. "I'm getting them every week now. I love it. 

"It's saving me money. But moments like that, interactions like that, that fuels my love for the game."

Japan's Shiho Kuwaki won the AIG Women's Open after defeating Germany's Esther Henseleit in a dramatic two-hole play-off. 

Henseleit forced extra holes by draining a 45-foot putt for birdie at the last. 

The 27-year-old had the advantage on the first hole after Kuwaki found the thick rough with her tee shot. 

But she managed to escape with a par. 

Henseleit then watched her tee shot at the next hit a course marshal on the leg and bounce into a gorse bush. 

Kuwaki, nicknamed the Yellow Baller, hit the green and two-putted for par to claim her first major title.