Nelly Korda wrapped up against the elements – image R&A via Getty Images
American Nelly Korda has bounced back from an indifferent run of form in recent weeks to take a three-shot lead into the third round of the AIG Women’s Open at St Andrew, a lead she holds over world number two and fellow American Lilia Vu and England’s Charley Hull.
The winner of six titles in her first seven starts earlier in the year, Korda’s results in more recent times have been well below those she produced in a stunning start to 2024 but it would seem she is well and truly back.
In tough and demanding conditions over the Old Course, Korda was bogey-free in her second consecutive round of 68.
“Yesterday it was just brutally windy throughout the range session until about probably 16,” said Korda.
“ Then today, it was raining for a good bit during my range session, and then it rained up until probably my second or third hole. It was pretty calm the front nine, and then once we got to probably — I think actually 18 and No. 1, that’s when it started to start pumping. But yeah, just adjusted.
Didn’t really take advantage of kind of the calmer conditions on my front nine, the back nine, but I played some really solid golf, and I’m happy with that.”
When asked about her success in so many varying conditions and regions this year she responded:
“I’ve won on just so many different types of grasses in different types of conditions that you just kind of always have to adapt. That’s the same thing in tennis, same thing in life. You’re always adapting to your situations at hand, and I think that’s what’s so fun about links golf is you’re literally starting it 30 yards left of your target, and I’m not a fade player but I’m hitting massive fades. I think it’s fun hitting these little low drivers, too.
“I’m having fun, and I enjoy links golf a lot. Obviously every year that I get to play it, I learn a little bit more about it, too.”
Hull is one of only two Brits in the leading 17 players and as such is the recipient of a great deal of the crowd’s support while the defending champion Vu is a now two-time major winner and very much a strong chance to defend successfully.
Vu was asked how much the opportunity to potentially successfully defend on such a revered and iconic place in world golf meant to her.
“I think I haven’t been able to think about it much. It’s tough out here. You’re kind of locked into a shot in front of you. But I’ll definitely digest it later today. It’s such an honour to play here, just to be in the presence of St Andrews. I’m very grateful to be defending here and I’m not thinking about it too much, I’m kind of thinking about it in the sense of it’s a new week, how can I play the best that I can.”
Lydia Ko again heads what has been to date an overall disappointing Australasian challenge. The Olympic Gold Medallist has mixed results in this event with only two top tens in 12 previous starts but she is just 5 shots back and in a share of 12th heading into the weekend.
“Yesterday was some of the windiest conditions I’ve ever played in, said Ko.
“It’s so windy that it’s not only your ball-striking that you’re worried about but just even a three-, two-footer where you’re trying to hit the center of the club face. It sounds stupid because you’re like, how could you miss the center of the putter, but it’s so windy it’s blowing us over. The balls are oscillating.
“I think that was one of the toughest rounds I had to play yesterday, and the wind picked up towards the end of our round, but I think for the most part today, I think we got very fortunate with the conditions. I know it was a little wet, but I thought that was so much more playable than a sunny, windy day like today.”
Stephanie Kyriacou is in 21st place at even par and Grace Kim 60th at 4 over.
Hannah Green, Minjee Lee Hira Naveed, Gabi Ruffels and Karrie Webb all missed the cut by large margins
