One of the most used clichés in golf is when a player is described as playing a completely different course in the midst of great rounds. Well, there are few situations where that is more appropriate than what Nelly Korda has done in the first two rounds at Memorial Park during the first major championship of the season.
Korda had a dominant Thursday first round that seemed like it couldn’t be replicated. Well, that turned out to be incorrect, and it got started right away. Korda took advantage of the early par fives on the course to have two birdies in her first three holes. She had a stumble on the sixth hole but made up for it with a beautiful birdie on the par 3 ninth.
On the back, it was all gas, no breaks. Korda had a beautiful hybrid to kick in range on the par 3 11th before a long putt for birdie on 12 fell. She had a near eagle on the par 5 14. Finally, after a great tee shot and strong approach on 17, she had another great birdie.
She wasn’t done with the thrills though, on 18 she absolutely stuck it right next to the pin for her final birdie of the day. She has made 15 throughout the two rounds with just one bogey.
As strong as her game was yesterday, it was maybe better Friday. Korda hit 11 fairways and 14 greens. She was once again giving herself good birdie chances consistently and not sweating much for par. The biggest factor though was her putting, which looked as good as it ever has, allowing her to completely lap the field.
Korda at the moment owns the two lowest scores of the week with two -7 65s. At the time she completed her round, Korda had an eight-stroke lead, though the afternoon wave still has to play. It is the lowest 36-hole score in LPGA major history not including the Evian Championship. If Korda plays even half as well as she has through two rounds, this won’t be a contest come Sunday.
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