The remainder of the sector higher be careful on the Chevron Championship.
The most popular participant in golf stated she’s working at simply 70% – and he or she’s nonetheless squarely within the combine after one spherical at The Membership at Carlton Woods.
Seeking to turn out to be simply the third LPGA participant to win 5 consecutive occasions, Nelly Korda caught fireplace late in her opening spherical to card a 4-under 68, the most effective rating of the afternoon wave, and sit simply two photographs off the early lead within the first ladies’s main of the 12 months.
“I can positively nonetheless really feel possibly somewhat little bit of tiredness,” Korda instructed reporters afterward, “so it took me some time to get going. I felt the nerves positively initially of the spherical. As soon as I made the flip, I used to be simply enjoying free golf.”
And that was extra of the identical for Korda, who received three consecutive occasions final month following a seven-week break. However that successful streak – in wildly totally different circumstances and circumstances – left her so gassed that when she returned to Florida, she stated she didn’t go away the home for 2 days.
“I feel these three weeks, I didn’t assume that it was going to empty me as a lot because it did possibly mentally,” she stated.
Korda felt at solely 70% power when she teed it up Thursday because the prohibitive favourite, however she stated her vitality ranges had been boosted when she had an apple on her fourth gap of the day. She made six birdies the remainder of the best way – together with on 4 of her final six holes – as she took benefit of her size to pounce on the par 5s and knock two wedges near the flag.
Korda’s 68 places her in a tie for second and simply two photographs off the lead of Lauren Coughlin, a 31-year-old who has by no means received on the LPGA. Korda is tied with Marina Alex and Minami Katsu, with Lydia Ko – a victory away from gaining entry into the LPGA Corridor of Fame – amongst these only a shot additional again.
However, as common, the remainder of the sector is wanting as much as Korda, who completed third at this event a 12 months in the past, one shot out of the playoff. Her path to the title was made even simpler Thursday when world No. 2 Lilia Vu (again) and Angel Yin (foot), who misplaced within the 2023 playoff, bowed out due to accidents.
Solely two gamers in LPGA historical past have received 5 consecutive LPGA occasions: Annika Sorenstam (2004-05) and Nancy Lopez (1978).
Korda is nicely on her approach to becoming a member of that elite firm.