Nelly Korda, the world’s best female golfer, had a disastrous start at the U.S. Women’s Open, firing an opening-round 80, including a shocking 10 on the par-3 12th hole. This disappointing performance echoes her prior experience at Pebble Beach’s U.S. Women’s Open in 2023, where she also posted a 10-over 80, the worst round of her professional career. Korda’s recent streak of success, winning six tournaments in eight starts (including a major), makes this poor showing all the more surprising.
A Diabolical Par-3
The 12th hole at Lancaster Country Club proved to be the undoing of Korda’s round. With its elevated tee, a shallow green, and a treacherous back-to-front pitch, this par-3 presented a daunting challenge to all players. When Lancaster last hosted the U.S. Women’s Open in 2015, it witnessed the most doubles of any hole on the course, with 31 in total. Under pressure, Korda struggled to navigate this demanding hole.
A Costly Error
As Korda approached the 12th hole, she faced a delay due to the group ahead struggling with its difficulties. Uncertain about her club selection, Korda teed it up a little further back than usual, hoping to find some success. However, her 6-iron shot found the back bunker, worsened by a small leaf underneath her ball. Despite her efforts, her subsequent shot failed to hold the green and rolled into the water. This setback led to a series of errors, including dropped shots and missed putts, ultimately resulting in a septuple-bogey 10.
Examining Korda’s Performance
While Korda entered the U.S. Women’s Open as the heavy favorite, given her exceptional form and skills that typically match up well with major championships, her struggle on challenging courses cannot be ignored. The USGA sets up its events to be exacting tests, and Korda’s success has typically come on birdie-friendly courses where going under par is the goal. In contrast, the U.S. Open ethos prioritizes grinding it out, making pars, and surviving the tough conditions.
Korda’s U.S. Women’s Open Track Record
Reviewing Korda’s history at the U.S. Women’s Open reveals a clear pattern. In her nine previous starts, she has only finished inside the top 10 twice, and both times, the winner finished with a double-digit score under par. When the setups have been at their toughest, Korda has struggled, while she has excelled on setups that allow for low scores. This ongoing theme persisted at Lancaster Country Club, where the challenging conditions proved too much for her.
A Glimpse of Vulnerability
Following her disappointing round, Korda appeared visibly affected, showcasing frustration with her shots, missed putts, and even her usually reliable driver. The game that had seemed effortless for the past five months suddenly became a challenging battle. Despite a more promising back nine, Korda couldn’t salvage her score. Reflecting on her performance, she acknowledged that it was simply a bad day and emphasized her human nature in facing such challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What was Nelly Korda’s score in the opening round of the U.S. Women’s Open?
Nelly Korda scored an 80 in the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open.
Which hole proved to be the most difficult for Nelly Korda?
The par-3 12th hole at Lancaster Country Club posed significant challenges for Nelly Korda, leading to a disastrous score.
Has Nelly Korda previously struggled at the U.S. Women’s Open?
Yes, Korda has had difficulties at the U.S. Women’s Open, with only two top-10 finishes in her nine previous starts.
What are the key differences between courses that favor Nelly Korda’s game versus the U.S. Women’s Open setup?
Nelly Korda thrives on birdie-friendly courses where going under par is the goal. However, the U.S. Women’s Open places a greater emphasis on grinding it out, making pars, and navigating challenging conditions.
How did Nelly Korda react to her disappointing round?
While disappointed, Nelly Korda acknowledged that everyone has bad days and remained determined to bounce back.
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