Top-ranked golfer Nelly Korda had to withdraw from the Ladies European Tour event in London after an unexpected dog bite in Seattle, adding to her recent string of unfortunate events.

Just when you thought Nelly Korda's luck couldn't get any worse, she announces via Instagram that a random canine encounter in Seattle has left her sidelined from the Ladies European Tour event in Hemel Hempstead. The world's top-ranked female golfer, already reeling from a missed cut at the Women's PGA Championship, offers her apologies to sponsors and fans, as she figures out when both her game and her healing leg will make a return.

The biting incident occurred on Saturday in Seattle, leaving both fans and critics scratching their heads. Korda's unexpected adversary turned out to be of the four-legged variety, putting more than just her golf skills to the test. News of the incident spread like wildfire, and Korda took to Instagram to explain her sudden withdrawal, stating she needed time to recover before she could compete again.

"I'm absolutely gutted," Korda wrote. "I hate to let down LET, the sponsors, and of course, the fans who've supported me through thick and thin. I promise I'll be back as soon as I'm able." Well-wishers flooded her post with messages of speedy recovery, though a few cheeky comments about adding 'dog whisperer' to her resume did sneak in.

The Ladies European Tour's Aramco Team Series, which Korda was set to participate in, is scheduled to kick off in Hemel Hempstead and wrap up on July 5. The event boasts a competitive field, and Korda's absence is certainly a blow, not just for her supporters, but for the tournament itself. It's not every day that a player's withdrawal from a prestigious event is due to a dog bite, after all.

Korda's recent performances have already been a source of frustration for the golfer, missing the cut at the Women's PGA Championship in Sammamish, Washington, and prior to that, the U.S. Women's Open in late May. The dog bite incident feels like the universe piling on, adding insult to injury—literally.

Despite the recent setbacks, Korda's career accomplishments remain nothing short of impressive. With 14 LPGA tournament wins and three victories on the Ladies European Tour, she’s already secured her place among the greats of women's golf. The 2021 Women's PGA Championship is one of her two major titles, and those sorts of achievements aren’t easily overshadowed, even by a particularly mischievous canine.

Interestingly, Korda has not yet indicated when she anticipates returning to competitive golf, leaving fans in suspense. In the meantime, her caddie has reportedly taken the precaution of carrying a well-stocked first aid kit—including plenty of band-aids, just in case.

Korda’s decision to focus on recovery is undoubtedly the right call. Competitive golf demands not just peak physical performance but also mental fortitude—qualities that are hard to muster when you have a literal bite mark to contend with. The golfing community is hopeful she'll make a swift recovery and return to the sport with the same ferocity she’s known for on the greens.

As the tournament in Hemel Hempstead presses on without her, one can't help but wonder about Korda's recovery progress. In any case, Korda's fans will be tracking her closely, eager for any news that their favorite golfer will soon be back, minus any unexpected animal encounters.

For now, the golf world awaits Nelly Korda’s return, optimistic that this latest hiccup is just a speed bump in an otherwise stellar career. Until then, here's hoping her interactions stay limited to putters and drivers—no more early exits orchestrated by Seattle's unsuspecting pet population.