Nelly Korda seems destined for success at this week's Chevron Championship, despite a rocky start.
Kicking off the tournament with a bogey, Korda quickly shifted gears to dominate the afternoon session on Thursday, finishing with a commendable 68, only two shots shy of the lead.
Her resilience shone through again in the second round on Friday. After a challenging double bogey at the start, she promptly notched a birdie, and added another on the fourth hole. She continued to make up ground, achieving another birdie on the eighth following her only other bogey of the day.
The challenges persisted as Korda found herself in deep grass on the 14th, yet she skillfully managed to maintain par. Her performance peaked at the 18th, where she executed a perfect drive and a 5-iron shot onto the green, concluding with an effortless two-putt birdie, claiming the top spot.
Korda, a four-time consecutive winner, not only aims for her second major title but also to replicate Annika Sorenstam's 2005 record of five consecutive victories. Predictive models from KPMG Performance Insights now see her as the frontrunner, with a 37.2% chance of clinching the title by the end of the week. Despite this, Korda remains cautiously optimistic, focusing on the ample game ahead and the unpredictable nature of golf.
Throughout the tournament, Korda has faced the tougher half of the draw, battling against conditions that were nearly two strokes more challenging. Despite these hurdles, she was one of only two players to score in the 60s from the afternoon group on Thursday. On Friday, despite a shaky start and a bogey on the seventh, she finished the front nine one under par, buoyed by consecutive birdies on the eighth and ninth holes.
Korda emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive outlook, particularly during major tournaments, recognizing that patience, along with a strategic approach to the course's par-5s—all of which are reachable in two—has been crucial to her performance.
Her recovery strategy between rounds has been notably effective. Unlike Thursday, where she refueled with an apple to boost her mid-game, Friday saw her opting for immediate rest, skipping practice to focus on physical recovery, supported by treatment and rest.
As she prepares for the third round in the final grouping, Korda remains focused on her goal, well aware of the challenges yet unfazed by the pressure of her past successes and the high expectations set by fans and analysts alike. Despite the seeming inevitability of her victory, she knows the outcome is anything but guaranteed.
