Gift from LeBron James
LeBron James gifted Nelly Korda custom golf shoes for the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club. Nelly Korda, currently ranked World No. 1, gave these shoes a try during her opening round, but they didn’t match her standards.
Opening Round Performance
Korda’s opening round started with mixed results. She began on the back nine, made par on the challenging par-4 10th hole, and scored a birdie on the 11th hole. However, she followed with consecutive bogeys.
After six holes, Korda’s score stood at 1-over par. Early in the tournament, she switched from the custom LeBron shoes to her regular Nike golf shoes. Amy Rodgers from Golf Channel reported issues with Korda’s swing attributed to the loose-fitting custom shoes.
Shoe Swap Details
A detail shot of Korda’s footwear during a practice round prior to the U.S. Women’s Open was shared, showing current footwear she used during play. Her trainer retrieved and delivered her usual golf shoes to her on the course, specifically at the 16th hole.
On her Instagram Story, Korda thanked James for the custom shoes. James later wished her good luck in the championship.
LeBron James’ Growing Interest in Golf
LeBron James has shown increasing interest in golf over the past year, featuring in golf-related videos online. He has mentioned the sport during press conferences and shared videos of himself playing golf.
Expectations for Nelly Korda
Korda arrived at Riviera as a strong contender to claim her first U.S. Women’s Open title. She is a three-time major champion, has won three events in 2026, and secured three second-place finishes in seven starts this year.
Mark Harris, a writer for OutKick, contributed the article.