Nelly Korda Shoots 'Painful' Even Par at LPGA's Third Major
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Nelly Korda arrived at the 2025 KPMG Women's PGA Championship as one of the heavy favorites to win the title. However, before the event began, she alarmed the golf world by announcing a new neck injury.
The World No. 1 assured fans that she would be ready to play in the Frisco PGA Championship, and she was. Unfortunately, not everything went smoothly, and Korda confirmed that her pain has not entirely disappeared, although she didn't seem overly concerned about it:
"It [her neck] is better, yeah. Getting better every day, which is nice," she said after her first round performance.
"Just because I injured it last year, whenever I do injure my neck it takes a little bit longer than normal."
Nelly Korda of the United States watches a tee shot on the sixth hole during the first round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship 2025 at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco on June 19,...
Nelly Korda of the United States watches a tee shot on the sixth hole during the first round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship 2025 at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco on June 19, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. MoreKorda said that although she doesn't feel constant pain, it does occur at very inopportune times.
"Just with rotation. And hard to sleep at night, too, just kind of get comfortable," she said.
The two-time major champion said she had experienced this type of discomfort earlier in the season, specifically at the T-Mobile Match Play in Las Vegas. She said that she also played through the pain at that event.
Nelly Korda has been dealing with neck discomfort since the end of last season. She first reported the injury last October, which forced her to miss the LPGA Tour's second Asian swing.
Korda returned to work in November, winning The Annika, her seventh title of the season, and finishing tied for fifth at the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.
Apparently, her neck discomfort didn't cause her too much trouble during the first round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. She carded two birdies and two bogeys to finish tied for 15th at even par, four strokes behind leader Jeeno Thitikul. Coincidentally, Thitikul is one of Korda's group mates in the event.
Korda has played in nine tournaments this season without missing a cut. She has maintained her high level of play but hasn't come even close to the results she achieved last season.
She is still seeking her first win of 2025, though she has finished second twice, including at the U.S. Women's Open six weeks ago.
More Golf: Tiger Woods' Son, Charlie, Earns Spot in US Jr Amateur in Dramatic Fashion
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
FIA Assures F1 Racing Spectacle Will Not Suffer Despite Slower Cars in 2026
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Formula One's governing body, the FIA, has confirmed that the 2026 car will be slower by one to two and a half seconds compared to the current ground effects car. However, that won't necessarily mean a compromise for fans, since the gap won't be noticeable visually. F1 enters a new era of regulations next year with new engine and chassis rules. As a result, the cars will undergo a significant overhaul in every way. To begin with, the 2026 car will feature a new power unit that will run on electric power and internal combustion, split by an equal ratio. Related: Lance Stroll Destroys 2026 F1 Regulations in Brutal Rant The sport will leave behind the current Drag Reduction System for active aerodynamics at the front and rear wings. The car will be lighter and smaller with less downforce and drag to encourage close racing. However, the changes could mean a drop in lap times, but FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis has confirmed that the drop will be marginal initially, since there will be enough scope to improve them when teams have enough data for periodic upgrades. The race start during the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on August 3, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. The race start during the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on August 3, 2025 in Budapest, the biggest concern, Tombazis has made it clear that the drop in pace won't be anywhere close to the performance of Formula 2 cars. Speaking to Auto Motor und Sport, as quoted by RacingNews365, he said: "I'm always surprised by how important this topic is to people. There have been phases throughout the history of the sport where lap times have slowed. "I don't think that's harmed the sport. You get used to it quickly. There are also differences of one and a half seconds in the field. Does that make the slower car an unattractive race car? The driver feels the one and a half seconds. From the outside, you hardly notice it." Tombazis suggested that the drop in lap times is a normal occurrence ahead of a new era of regulations. He added: "To reassure you: According to our simulations, the cars are getting between one and two and a half seconds slower per lap. But that's just the beginning, the teams will develop the cars quickly. Soon, no one will complain that the cars are too slow. We're not sinking to Formula 2 level." Addressing the topic of downforce, Tombazis admitted that with no data available from teams, one can only assess the performance when cars go out on the track, meaning some teams could face challenges initially. He said: "To be fair, I have to admit that we haven't received data from all teams about the expected downforce of their cars. So it's possible that some may be worse positioned at the beginning."
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Newsweek
Will Buxton Has a Bold Answer On Alex Palou's F1 Title Chances
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Commentator and former F1 TV host Will Buxton gave his take on IndyCar Champion Alex Palou's chances in Formula 1. Buxton is a long-time F1 paddock member who started as a reporter and eventually became a TV presenter for the sport's digital streaming platform. He featured prominently on Netflix's Drive to Survive (DTS), playing a key role in the show becoming so popular and the sport growing stateside. On DTS, he narrated the dramatic elements of the sport and gave context to specific events, helping new fans learn about the racing series. Alex Palou, driver of the #10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, poses for a photo during the winner's photo shoot for the NTT IndyCar Series 109th Running Of The Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway... Alex Palou, driver of the #10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, poses for a photo during the winner's photo shoot for the NTT IndyCar Series 109th Running Of The Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 26, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. More Photo byBefore the start of the 2025 F1 season, Buxton announced his departure from the broadcast team and revealed his new role at Fox with IndyCar. He is the lead play-by-play voice for the American racing series - this season, he has observed the greatness of the driver for Chip Ganassi Racing, Alex Palou. The Spanish sensation secured his fourth IndyCar championship, cementing his status as one of the most dominant racers in the competition's history. On Sunday, after Palou captured another title, Buxton was asked the following question on X by another user: "How does an Indy car driver compare to an F1 driver on a skill level? I suppose it's a hard question to answer but why wouldn't Palou pursue that path on his current trajectory? I'm just trying to understand if F1 is completely out of reach for him and what pushes a driver one way or the other," the person asked. As an expert in both racing series, Buxton is especially able to dissect Palou's chances in F1, and he responded with his take: "Palou is, hands down, one of the best open-wheel drivers in the world right now. Could he win in F1? Absolutely. With the right car. Would he get the right car though? Unless it's a top 4 team in F1, why walk away from making history in a championship he loves?," Buxton wrote in a post. Palou is, hands down, one of the best open wheel drivers in the world right now. Could he win in F1? Absolutely. With the right car. Would he get the right car though? Unless it's a top 4 team in F1, why walk away from making history in a championship he loves? — Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) August 10, 2025 How close was Alex Palou to joining F1? Palou had signed a deal to drive with McLaren's IndyCar team, though he ended up staying with Chip Ganassi instead after winning the 2023 title. The driver claimed that McLaren promised him an F1 drive, but after the team signed Oscar Piastri, he lost confidence in landing a seat on the grid. Piastri was younger than Palou and, with Lando Norris cemented as the team's lead driver — he gave up on his F1 dream and stayed in IndyCar. Since then, he has dominated in America, though Buxton believes there is an alternative universe where Palou is fighting for a F1 title right now. "I think Palou reneged on McLaren precisely because the F1 road was closed off as soon as they signed Piastri," he wrote. "But yeah. Had Alpine been better at writing contracts, every chance Palou is leading the F1 championship and Piastri is still at Enstone." I think Palou reneged on McLaren precisely because the F1 road was closed off as soon as they signed Piastri. But yeah. Had Alpine been better at writing contracts, every chance Palou is leading the F1 championship and Piastri is still at Enstone. — Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) August 10, 2025 For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
9 hours ago
- Newsweek
Rory McIlroy Discloses Real Reason for Sitting Out Playoff Opener
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After Justin Rose's dramatic playoff win at the FedEx St. Jude Championship last week, the PGA Tour's postseason now shifts to Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland for the BMW Championship. During the first playoff, one storyline that dominated headlines was Rory McIlroy's absence at the opener in Memphis. The grand slam winner was the only eligible player who chose not to compete at TPC Southwind and remained silent until Wednesday. PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND - JULY 20: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the third green during day four of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 20, 2025 in... PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND - JULY 20: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the third green during day four of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 20, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by) More Getty Images One day before teeing off at the BMW Championship, the World No. 2 addressed the controversy head-on. "There's been a lot of discourse about should these playoffs be mandatory," McIlroy told reporters during the pre-tournament press conference. "Obviously I didn't play last week, and is that something they need to look at?" McIlroy went on to suggest a revamped playoff format, one that resets points after each leg to create true elimination rounds. "I've heard this idea kicked around, where everything resets after Wyndham and then the top 70 just play for the top 50 spots to get into the next week, and then everything resets again here, and then the top 30 from this week then make it to the Tour Championship," he explained as quoted. "If you want to try to make it straight playoffs and elimination, I think that would be a good way to go." Still, the Northern Irishman made it clear that even with stricter rules, he would've skipped Memphis. "I'm playing nine more events this year, including trips to the United Kingdom, India, Dubai and Australia," he stated during the same conference. "That extra week off will do me good with the events coming up." At 36, McIlroy emphasized the importance of managing his schedule and body, especially with the Ryder Cup and Race to Dubai title chase looming. "A lot of the guys aren't 18 years into their professional careers, either," he added. "I feel like I'm in a little bit of a different position than some of the guys." Despite the absence during the opening playoff event, McIlroy held firm at No. 2 in the FedExCup standings and remains a favorite to contend at East Lake next week. He'll tee off Thursday at 11:16 a.m. ET alongside world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, marking his first competitive round since finishing T7 at The Open Championship. Meanwhile, defending BMW champion Keegan Bradley returns to Caves Valley hoping to replicate his win last year and secure a Ryder Cup spot. With only 49 players in the field following Sepp Straka's withdrawal, every shot this week carries weight. More Golf: Paige Spiranac Makes Emotions Clear Amid Tommy Fleetwood's All-Class Moment
