Nelly Korda began her first round at the Chevron Championship feeling the effects of a demanding schedule, but her performance by the round's end showcased the form that has made her a top contender on the LPGA Tour.
Ranked number one globally and riding the momentum of four consecutive wins, Korda aims for a record-tying fifth victory at this major season opener. Despite a sluggish start, she managed to clinch four birdies over her final six holes, finishing the day with a 4-under 68, aligning her in a three-way tie and just two strokes behind the frontrunner, Lauren Coughlin.
"It took some time to shake off the tiredness," Korda remarked. "The initial nerves were palpable, but after the halfway mark, I felt liberated to play my game."
Korda's round began on the 10th hole, allowing her to utilize her driving distance advantage on the front-side par-5s, securing birdies with comfortable two-putts. Additional birdies on the 6th and 9th holes helped solidify her strong finish. She shared her early-round standings with Marina Alex and Minami Katsu, both of whom are scheduled similarly over the first two days. With only nine players scoring under 70 on Thursday at the Club at Carlton Woods, and merely two among them—including Korda—playing in the later slot, she acknowledged the unpredictable nature of tee times.
"The timing can be hit or miss, but you have to make the most of your draw," she said.
Earlier in the year, Korda dominated the LPGA Drive On Championship in Florida and continued her winning streak through tournaments in California, Arizona, and Nevada. After a brief respite last week during the Masters, she admitted to feeling drained.
"The consecutive weeks of competition were more taxing than anticipated. I was utterly exhausted when I returned home," she shared.
Adding to the drama of the tournament, 2023 champion Lilia Vu withdrew prior to her start due to a back issue that flared up during her warm-up.
"I've been managing a back injury for some time, and today it was particularly debilitating," Vu stated, explaining her decision to pull out of the competition and seek medical advice.
As the tournament progresses, Korda's next round is scheduled for early Friday morning, where she'll no doubt aim to maintain her momentum and challenge for the lead, potentially joining the elite ranks of players like Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam with five straight LPGA victories.
