Nelly Korda continues to play well and kept herself in contention at the Cognizant Founders Cup. The World No. 1 is looking to win her sixth straight LPGA event, and after her round on Friday, that feat is still obtainable.
She shot a bogey-free 6-under 66 in tough conditions to get to 9-under for the tournament. Korda sits solo third and trails the leaders Rose Zhang and Madelene Sagstrom by four strokes.
Once again, she proved that no matter the adversity, Korda can assemble an impressive golf round.
“Yeah, hit 17 out of 18 greens, so that helps,” she said. “I tried going 18 for 18 but came up short on 17. I hit it well. Hit it really well off the tee, too, which is crucial out here because the thick rough and wet conditions can get pretty brutal. Overall, pretty pleased with my game.”
Korda started her day with back-to-back birdies on her first two holes. She would go 4-under through seven holes. The 25-year-old played smart in the wet conditions and added two more birdies on 14 and 18.
“Everything is just about staying very in the moment, staying very present in these conditions, especially on this golf course,” Korda said. “Sometimes you get too ahead of yourself and maybe start pressing too much and making mistakes. Did a really good job staying present and in my own little bubble.”
Staying in her own world has been her game plan this season, and it has worked. Now, it is a running joke between her and her sister.
“Jess [Korda] says it could be like a drinking game now how many times I say it,” she said. “But, yeah, I did a good job at that, not trying to press too much and see where I could get my opportunities.”
The 13-time LPGA winner made multiple long putts that kept up her momentum, which kept her within reach of Zhang and Sagstrom.
“I just knew that the conditions were going to be tough, and I needed to focus on what’s right in front of me,” Korda said. “It was a really good round in the conditions. I putted really well today. Even when I didn’t hit it close, my putts just scared the hole. Overall, I am very pleased with how I played today, and hopefully, I can take that into the next 36 holes.”
Korda is the only one within feasible reach of the two leaders as she can quickly gain four shots on Saturday.
For now, it appears to be a three-woman race heading into the third round of play as Korda gave herself a chance at making even more history.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, be sure to follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
