Nelly Korda in Mourning as Her Companion of 15 Years Passes Away: ‘Big Piece of My Heart’

One of the earliest core childhood memories, when ‘Nelly things’ was not even a thing, was Christmas of 2014. Nelly must not have been older than 15. Stacked away in her IG profile, even today, is a photograph of a Polaroid film. Cuddled up in it are siblings Jessica, Nelly, and Sebastian, posing in front of a decorated Christmas tree with a cat almost lost in the darkness in the background, thanks to poor lighting. But the most special frames are always the poor quality, hazy, blurry ones, aren’t they? Nelly’s caption read, “Kitty looking real happy.” They named their first childhood pet, a cat, Rafa. Sounds familiar? You’re quite right.

Following in the footsteps of his father Petr Korda, one of Sebastian’s major career highlights was when he dismissed Pedro Martinez in straight sets (6-4, 6-3, 6-1) to reach the fourth round of Roland Garros. He would patiently wait for his next opponent, and that would be none other than his idol, Rafael Nadal. In anticipation of what was then the one big moment he’d been waiting for all his life, Sebastian purred all over Nadal by revealing that he had once named his cat “Rafa.” When Nelly took the cat in her care, Rafa became Rafi.

Rafi gave Nelly the quiet assurance we all need in life. In 2023, Nelly Korda returned from injuries to win the Aramco Team Series title, and in the process, reclaimed her No. 1 ranking. Having skipped a few LPGA events due to back injuries, this was a welcome return to the top after what was a 10-week break. Once back home, she decided to unwind on a massage table, only for her cat Rafi to stare up back at her as Nelly peeped down from the face cradle. No. 1 or no, Korda came back home to the same familiar face for 15 long years ever since she was an 11-year-old logging her first hole-in-one. Korda would often say, “My pets are my peace, but golf is my job.” That peace will now be looked back at with silent admiration. On April 29, Nelly took to Instagram to announce the sad news of Rafi’s passing and paid a heartfelt tribute:

Korda posted a series of Instagram stories. There were some pictures of Rafi and her, captioned, “15 years of amazing memories, you left the world with a big piece of my heart, RIP Rafi.” Nelly’s sister, Jessica, also shared a post of Rafi with another deceased furry friend, writing, “In heaven together 🥹 💔❤️‍🩹.” Nelly’s other stories had pictures and videos of Rafi, from kittenhood to old age, curled up in her lap, sleeping with her, and inquisitively looking through her camera while being clicked. One story had a picture of Korda holding Rafi on top of her head. In the caption of that photo, she wrote,

“You made me a crazy cat lady….Now I am just a crazy lady.” In another slide, Korda posted a video of playing with Rafi as she added, “Sending lots and lots of belly rubs to heaven… I hope everyone experiences an unconditional, cuddly love like this in their lifetime.” 

Alongside Korda, Rafi had witnessed her ascent to the top of the global rankings, her Olympic gold medal, and numerous other significant life events. He served as her home away from the course, her source of peace, and her silent ally. Korda has frequently talked about how her pets help her stay grounded and provide stability in the hectic world of professional golf. 

Rafi’s heartbreaking passing came on the heels of a challenging week for Nelly Korda. The star golfer, entering the Chevron Championship as the defending champion, struggled to find her rhythm and ultimately finished tied for 14th with a total score of 2-under.

Korda is still searching for her first win of the year. She finished as the runner-up at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in February.

Meanwhile, just a month earlier, fellow golf personality Paige Spiranac faced a similarly heart-wrenching goodbye to her loyal dog, Niko.

Top Comment by Jerry King

Definitely. My wife and I have 2 dogs. The bond we have with both of them is incredible. ...more

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Paig Spiranac bids painful goodbye to Niko

Only a few weeks prior, Paige Spiranac had announced the tragic news of the death of her rescue dog, Niko. She said, “I loved you for your whole life, and I’ll miss you for the rest of mine❤️🐾” in a touching message on X (previously Twitter). A heartwarming video montage of Niko from his puppyhood to his last moments was shown alongside the message, emphasizing their unshakable love.

Niko was adopted by Spiranac in 2017, and he soon became a mainstay in her life. Niko was more than just a pet; he was her “soul dog,” whether he was interfering with her golf game or just relaxing close by. “I’ve never dealt with loss before, and for it to be my best buddy Niko has been really challenging,” she admitted in an emotional YouTube video.

The fans’ support was amazing and came right away. “I just wanted to thank everyone for the support I received yesterday❤️the kind wishes mean so much to me and my family. Niko was such a special pup🐾” Spiranac said in appreciation. Disturbingly, though, scammers  posed as her online and asked for fictitious donations in Niko’s name, adding to her misery. “It’s a scam. Please do not donate. Block and report. Thank you!” Spiranac promptly cautioned her followers.

These personal losses serve as a reminder of the intensely emotional lives that lie behind the athletes’ austere exteriors in the world of professional golf, where poise is crucial. Rafi and Niko were more than just friends to Korda and Spiranac; they were sources of unwavering love and support. Anyone who has ever loved and lost a pet can relate to these experiences, which serve as a reminder of the deep and enduring ties we have with our animals.