She’s doing it again: Nelly Korda back in contention for record-breaking win
Despite the mounting pile of expectations and obligations, Nelly Korda is in contention yet again as she chases a stunning, record-breaking sixth-straight victory.
Korda fired a three-under 69 in the opening round of the Cognizant Founders Cup on Thursday in Clifton, N.J. She was even par through the first eight holes at Upper Montclair Country Club, which might seem just average to those who were expecting immediate dominance, but Korda’s brilliance this year has been outlasting everyone over 72 holes, not the first nine or 18.
Her second birdie of the day arrived on the 18th hole, her ninth, and then another followed on the next par-5, her 11th of the day. Korda is one of the longest players in the women’s game, so that’s a bit of the same story, too. Hitting one good drive with her length allows her to turn par-5s into long par-3s. She played those four holes in three under Thursday. The afternoon wave is still on the course, but Korda is just four off the early lead held by Madelene Sagstrom, who finished at seven under and three ahead of the next closest competitor at the time
Asked about her round afterward, Korda called it “solid,” because that’s all it feels like when you’ve won five tournaments in a row. Just solid.
Thursday’s round came after a busy week for Korda. Over the weekend, she was there for the very first junior tournament in her name, The Nelly, down in Florida. Then she was up to New York City for the Met Gala on Monday. (When’s the last time a golfer was at the Met Gala?) On Tuesday morning, she gave a press conference, as she is getting extremely accustomed to doing, and did an interview with ESPN. During her last conquest, a few weeks ago, Korda did a virtual interview with SportsCenter, but now ESPN has sent extra staffers to cover every step she takes this week.
