Last year at this time, world No. 1 Nelly Korda launched her own line of Nike shoes. Before she got to the first tee for Wednesday's pro-am, Korda had gifted a pair of her Nike Free signature line to WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark.
Much has been made about Korda's shoes, particularly this year at the U.S. Women's Open at Riviera, where she famously took off a pair that had been given to her by LeBron James
in the middle of the first round.This week, Korda's shoes aren't likely to generate that kind of national buzz, but they definitely should. During Wednesday's pro-am round at Pelican Golf Club, Korda will be participating in "Kicks for a Cause" by wearing golf shoes designed by 7-year-old Mary Kate, a patient at AdventHealth for Children.
Mary
Kate's design, which has been transposed onto the shoes by artist Katie Shaffstall, features a rainbow; purple hearts (her favorite color); red, shite and blue laces; and waves to represent her love of the pool and ocean water. On top of the famed Nike Swoosh, she wrote 1 Peter 5:7, a Bible verse that says "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
Below the image of the shoe, Mary Kate wrote, "Can't wait to meet you."
Korda will be trying to win her fourth title at Pelican and her fifth of the 2026 season. A victory this week in Belleair, Florida, would put her in the LPGA Hall of Fame.
Tournament host Sorenstam's pair is designed by 9-year-old Alexandra, and her husband and caddie, Mike McGee, will wear shoes designed by 9-year-old June.
The Annika is the penultimate event of the 2026 LPGA season, featuring a field of 108 and a purse of $3.25 million. AdventHealth is also presenting partner of the tournament’s Women’s Leadership Summit, the tournament volunteer program and the Junior Golf Show featuring Sorenstam.
Beth Ann Nichols is a senior writer at Golfweek covering the LPGA and women's golf.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Forget all the other shoes. Nelly Korda's Annika pro-am Nikes are priceless
