Nelly Korda Wears Custom LeBron James Golf Shoes at U.S. Women’s Open

Nelly Korda received a special gift from NBA star LeBron James: a custom pair of golf shoes. She wore them for the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club. Despite the thoughtful gesture, the shoes did not satisfy her expectations.

Korda began her opening round on Thursday with mixed results. She started on the back nine, making par on the challenging par-4 10th. A birdie followed on the 11th hole. However, soon after, she struggled with back-to-back bogeys.

Reports from Golf Channel’s Amy Rodgers indicated that Korda switched footwear after six holes. While at 1-over par, she returned to her standard Nike shoes, having found the custom pair too loose, potentially affecting her swing.

Korda’s trainer assisted in the transition, retrieving her regular golf shoes and facilitating the change on the 16th hole. Post-swap, Korda made par on the 16th and concluded the back nine at 1-over par.

Prior to the tournament, Korda had shared an image of the custom shoes on Instagram, expressing gratitude to James. In response, James wished her success in the major championships.

LeBron James has shown significant interest in golf recently. He features in golf-related videos online and often discusses the sport in media appearances. His keen interest in golf keeps him engaged during the NBA offseason.

Korda entered the tournament as a top contender, having already secured three victories and three second-place finishes in 2026. These achievements highlight her status as a formidable player in the sport.