Nelly Korda on track for record feat as lightning interrupts Chevron Championship
Nelly Korda is attempting to win five consecutive tournaments. Photo: Getty
World No.1 Nelly Korda faces a marathon day when she attempts to complete her bid for a record-tying fifth straight LPGA win after lightning interrupted the year’s first women’s major in Texas.
Korda was one shot off the lead through 11 holes of her third round at the Chevron Championship when play was suspended on Saturday.
Play at Carlton Woods was halted just before 3pm due to lightning in the area and called for the day two-and-a-half hours later with dangerous conditions remaining.
Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul (three under through 12 holes) was leading at 11 under.
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Korda was three under for her round and tied second with Canada’s Brooke Henderson, who had seven birdies and an eagle to be eight under for the round after 17 holes.
Australian Gabriela Ruffels (two under through 17) was tied 20th and seven shots from the lead with countrywoman Steph Kyriacou (even through 14 holes) a shot further back.
Korda is seeking her second major after winning the Women’s PGA Championship in 2021. She could join Nancy Lopez (1978) and Annika Sorenstam (2004-05) as the only players to win five consecutive LPGA events.
Korda was asked about the challenges of having to finish the third round early on on Sunday before playing the final round.
“If you think about it positively, then I have a lot of opportunities left in the day that I can go out and maybe capitalise on a couple of them, then that’s good.” said Korda.
“I’m going to think about it positively rather than negatively.”
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The 21-year-old Thitikul has won twice on the LPGA Tour and missed the beginning of this season with a thumb injury.
She was asked about how she expects the normally firm greens to play Sunday, with rain expected to continue overnight.
“The greens are going to play a little bit easier, but the drives, other things may be harder,” she said.
Henderson, who has 13 LPGA wins with two majors, had a one-putt streak of 10 holes with six birdies and an eagle in that stretch.
“Anytime my putter gets to working, I’m pretty happy because ball-striking is usually a strength of mine,” she said.
“This week I’ve been hitting it really well, so when I’ve been able to make a few putts, it feels really good, and hopefully keep it hot tomorrow.”
-AP
