By: Max Bechtoldt
Nelly Korda followed up her -4 68 on Thursday with another one Friday morning to open up a three-shot lead at the AIG Women’s Open with the morning wave finishing up their second rounds.
The grouping of Korda, Hull and Vu played fantastic once again, as they currently occupy the top three slots on the leaderboard. Korda sits at -8 while Vu and Hull are -5.
Many, myself included, thought the Korda may struggle at St. Andrews. Her high ball flight, inconsistent putting and quick pace wouldn’t normally fit The Old Course. The flip side though, is she plays terrifically in bad conditions, as proven by her wins in Arizona, Palos Verdes and at Chevron in 2024.
The No. 1 player in the world went bogey-free Friday. Like Thursday, she had birdies on 17 and 18, along with par 5 fifth hole and the drivable ninth. The score could’ve been better also, as she missed makable putts on both seven and eight.
Nobody on the leaderboard currently seems close to challenging this score, so Korda figures to be in the final group tomorrow. Her ball-striking has looked like vintage Nelly, having hit 31 out of 36 greens in regulation. While the new putter she put in the bag this week hasn’t been great, it also isn’t hurting her.
Korda is searching for her seventh win and second major championship of the season. It would be her third major title of her career and get her 60% finished with the career grand slam.
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