Stacy Lewis’s career epitomizes resilience. From battling scoliosis at 11, wearing a back brace 18 hours a day, to winning her 13th LPGA title as a mother, she’s defined endurance and adaptability. Now, at 40, as she retires, Lewis leaves behind a legacy that transcends scorecards. And of course, a trail of people who would miss her presence on the course. One of them is Nelly Korda.
The former world No. 1, a status also enjoyed by Lewis, admitted how the news had hit her. “Honestly, ever since my rookie year, she’s someone who has done so much for American women’s golf and women’s golf in general. Getting to share this round with her for the next two days has been incredible…. She’s such a great role model,” said Korda, her voice filled with admiration, having just played alongside Lewis in what would be among her final competitive rounds.
Just a few days ago, Lewis told the world about her retirement, a shock that went through ripples across the LPGA circuit. “I’m going to miss the LPGA Tour family and this part of my life, but my body has told me it’s time.” Nearing middle age, no one could blame Lewis for this decision, as the American had fought her fair share due to her childhood diagnosis. Now, it was about time to rest.
Stacy Lewis faced immense adversity on her path to success. At 18, she underwent a six-hour spinal surgery where doctors fused a metal rod and five screws into her spine after deflating a lung and moving organs. The toughest challenge came afterward — a grueling eight-week recovery that her father later recalled as a testament to her remarkable pain tolerance.
This is exactly the experience that forged the resilience Korda admires so deeply. “She has such an amazing story…Her hard work, her work ethic, resilience, that speaks for itself.” Lewis has often said, “I don’t think I am the person I am without everything I went through.” This was the philosophy that carried her through a stellar amateur career that included four All-American honors and an NCAA individual title. By 2011, she was a major champion.
And none of this stopped there. Seven years later, Lewis made headlines off the course when her sponsor, KPMG, decided to pay her full contract during her maternity leave. It was an unprecedented decision that would change women’s golf forever. “They wanted to pay me for the whole contract, regardless of the number of tournaments I played,” Lewis stated at the time, “speechless” after this revolutionary gesture.
Unlike salaried team athletes, golfers earn only when they play, with sponsorships often requiring 15-20 tournament appearances — a challenge for pregnant athletes or mothers. As Lewis said, “In our sport, you don’t get paid unless you play.” Two years later, she silenced doubts by winning the 2020 Ladies Scottish Open in a four-way playoff — her first title as a mother and 13th overall.
Witnessing all this was Korda, who was grateful enough to experience these qualities during the 2024 Solheim Cup, under Lewis’s captaincy. Getting to know her through the Solheim Cup, her captaincy, has been so, so fun, Korda said. Even Lewis later revealed that her favorite part of captaining was watching teammates being comfortable with each other. One particular such instance was when her team, including Korda, marched into the hotel after their win, blasting “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”
“At the end of the day she’s someone that I looked up to… And I wish her all the best in her next chapter in her life,” says Korda. Indeed, Lewis leaves behind her more than trophies.