Just last week, in Southern California, Nelly Korda proved she was resilient with a spectacular performance. Now that the weather is great and the course is kind, the current world number one golfer has set herself up for an incredible third straight win.
She’s within striking distance at the Ford Championship after an outstanding first-round performance of 6-under 66 on Thursday, trailing by only three strokes. If Korda wins, she would go down in history as the first player on the LPGA Tour to win three straight titles—a feat not seen by many in the past eight years.
“Completely different today compared to last weekend,” usnews quoted Korda as saying. “The greens have a lot of give.” I am aware that Arizona has experienced a significant amount of precipitation this winter. I had to be aggressive because I knew there would be people with poor scores.
Korda two-putt birdie
The top-ranked golfer, Korda, started strong, making four birdies in five holes before finishing strong with a two-putt birdie on the par-5 18th.
To become the first player on the LPGA Tour to win three straight tournaments since Ariya Jutanugarn in 2016, Korda started his quest with a win at the Drive On Championship in Bradenton, Florida, near her birthplace.
She showed no symptoms of rust, regaining the top spot in the world last week and emerging as a formidable competitor despite missing the LPGA Tour’s Asian swing.
On the other hand, players in the inaugural event at Seville Golf and Country Club were welcomed with immaculate conditions, ideal for scoring after the strong winds had swept the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship just a week earlier north of Los Angeles.
Pajaree Anannarukan took advantage of the situation, putting on a faultless display that included an astounding 9-under 63, her first hole of the round coming up on the back nine of the 6,734-yard course tucked away in a suburban area of Phoenix. Anannarukan handled the situation expertly, taking a slim one-shot lead over a strong group that included former Arizona State standouts Azahara Munoz and Carlota Ciganda, Lilia Vu, Gabriela Ruffels, and Isa Gabsa.
Cover Photo: IG
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