LOS ANGELES (United States) — World No 1 Nelly Korda birdied the last three holes in a four-under par 67 to share the US Women’s Open lead with Kim Sei-young going into the final round.
Korda, who was seven shots off the pace after a two-over opening round Thursday, notched her second straight 67 for a six-under total of 207, putting herself in position to strike for a second straight major title this year after her triumph at the Chevron Championship in April.
She was joined on six-under by South Korean Kim, who carded a three-under 68 at Riviera Country Club, the iconic Pacific Palisades course that will host the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics golf competition.
“It’s always amazing to be in this position,” Korda said of the chance to challenge for a third career major title, according to AFP.
The American kick-started her round with a chip-in birdie at the third hole and rolled in an 18-footer at the sixth. She gave a shot back with a bogey at the eighth, but powered home with birdies at 16, 17 and 18.
“Just had a comfortable eight-iron on 16,” she said of the shot that left her “solid, straightforward” five and a half-foot birdie putt.
At 17, she bombed her drive but missed the green, chipping to two feet to pick up another shot.
“And then 18 I smoked my drive and just had a nine-iron in,” Korda said. “Pretty comfortable, nice little birdie finish.
“I’m really happy with how I grinded out the front nine and then took the opportunities that I had on the last three holes.”
Korda has said her runner-up finish in last year’s US Open fueled her hunger to win her national championship, but she said she can’t let that desire get the better of her.
“I think last year I really, really wanted it, and the more you want it sometimes the more you stiffen up and you get a little bit more nervous,” she said.
