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Telegraph
28-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Nelly Korda hoping patience pays off in quest to recapture the magic
Nelly Korda is preaching patience, but acknowledges that might be difficult for those admirers of the 'best swing in golf' who recall the American knocking off consecutive titles last year at record-breaking pace. Of course, it was unfeasible for Korda to maintain a run that brought her five successive tournament wins – including a major – and then proceed to make it six trophies from seven. Yet when Korda triumphed at the Mizuho Americas Open last May – the female game's superstar adding to her iconic image by raising her arms aloft with the New York City skyline and Statue of Liberty in the background – few would have predicted that there would only be one more success in the 12 months and 19 starts that followed. Going into this week's US Women's Open, the 26-year-old remains the world No 1, but it perhaps says plenty about the injection of realism into her story that Korda's status is under threat from Jeeno Thitikul. With two victories already this season, and three in her last nine appearances, the 22-year-old Thai has actually usurped Korda as the betting favourite for the major at Erin Hills – an achievement in itself. But Korda insists she remains unfazed. 'I can understand what people say, but this is just the game of golf and it's life and it's up and down,' Korda said at the Wisconsin course. 'Look, it's never going to be easy, and when you think you kind of have it figured out, it's just going to humble you really quickly. 'The thing is just always stay patient, keep doing what you're doing. What I've learnt is that I'm going to control what I can control. And what I can't? Well, I'm kind of going to let go of that and not stress about it and just go about my business. 'Look, last year was last year. What I achieved in 2024, no one can take that from me. That's always going to be such a great memory. But it's been a campaign and a fresh mindset. 'It's been a very interesting year for me. I definitely have had a bit of good and a bit of bad. I've kind of been in the mix in every event that I've played in.' Korda is wise not to panic, as she has the lowest scoring average on tour so far in 2025 and her form has hardly gone through the clubhouse floorboards. And even her dream season was not without its setbacks. After a two-month absence with neck issues that led to debilitating migraines, Korda returned in November and won in Florida. Since then she has racked up four top-seven placings in her most recent eight competitions, including a fifth behind Thitikul three weeks ago. Yet, despite finishing 14th in her defence at the Chevron Championship, the season's first major, last month, she was never in serious contention and her record at the US Women's Open certainly does not inspire great hope. Korda has played in her national championship on 10 occasions and only recorded two top-10s, with a best performance of eighth. She was seemingly at the peak of her powers last year, but shockingly shot a first-round 80 at Lancaster Country Club and comfortably missed the cut. It was the third time she had failed to qualify for the weekend in the last five editions of the US Women's Open. Considering the piles of garlands she has collected from other events, she would be forgiven for a feeling of indifference, but Korda was putting on a courageous and positive front as she prepared for a marquee first-round threeball on Thursday, also featuring countrywoman Lexi Thompson and England's Charley Hull. 'Yeah, it's tested me a lot over the years – but, I mean, it's the biggest test in the game and I love it,' she said. 'At the end of the day, this is why we do what we do, is to play these golf courses in these conditions, to test our games in every aspect. Not even just our games, but the mental side, as well. I enjoy it and I'm excited to see what this week is going to bring.' And Korda claims the expectations will not be a problem. 'Every year something has challenged me, and every year I learn a little bit more about myself and how to handle myself in certain situations,' she said. 'It's all about putting yourself into that position and being grateful for being in that spot. And relish it all. Even the pressure.'
Reuters
28-05-2025
- General
- Reuters
Nelly Korda chasing first win of '25, U.S. Women's Open breakthrough
May 28 - Nelly Korda ranks No. 1 in the world despite being without a win on the LPGA Tour halfway through the season but insists there's no added pressure for a breakthrough at the Women's U.S. Open at Erin Hills Golf Club in Wisconsin this week. "I don't try and think about it," said Korda, who had seven wins in 16 events and claimed a major championship at the Chevron Championship in 2024. "Definitely when you're a higher-ranked player or you're more popular there is more pressure on you just from outside perspective when it comes to media, fans coming out to watch you play. "If you want to feel it, you will feel it, but I think what's really important is just kind of sticking to your game plan and being really focused on what you're doing present time, and that's really helped me." Korda was propelled to the Rolex Player of the Year honor by a streak of five wins in a row in 2024. She is chasing her first Women's U.S. Open title on the heels of her second top-5 finish this season at the Mizuho Americas Open. As the world rankings underscore, Korda's results can hardly be classified as struggling. She's finished no worse than 22nd with three top-10 finishes in six events. She said the season to date has been "interesting" but insisted she feels grateful and embraces the position this week at an event known for trying patience. "It's big," said Korda, 26, who is staying 20 minutes from the course at a rented lake house with her parents. "Some weeks it's so much easier to be patient than others. It just depends on kind of the mindset and how you're feeling mentally. But it plays a really big role. Sometimes you can get ahead of yourself, and as I've said in the past, staying in the moment is really, really important for me." Contrast the present to her surging 2024 momentum meter entering the U.S. Women's Open -- she missed the cut at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania with a season-worst opening round of 80 -- and Korda is comfortable with her real-time game. At Erin Hills, there are challenges ahead on a course known for whipping wind and tight, challenging traps. And Korda hasn't posted many memorable rounds in the event of late. Two of her past three U.S. Women's Open rounds resulted in scores of 80. She wrapped the 2023 event at Pebble Beach by going 8-over on her final 18 and finished tied for 64th. "I think the more you're put in under-pressure moments and the more you're in contention, you learn more about yourself and how to handle those situations," Korda said. "Every year something has tested me, and every year I learn a little bit more about myself and how to handle myself in some situations. So yeah, I think it's all about putting yourself into that position. ... At the end of the day, you're the one that put yourself there, and you have to be grateful that you are in that spot, and you kind of have to just enjoy even the pressure." Korda entered the 2022 U.S. Open off a four-month hiatus and finished tied for eighth at 2-under for the tournament at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C. On Thursday Korda is paired with Charley Hull and Lexi Thompson (2:25 p.m. ET). She's looking dead ahead this week and focusing on what she can control in her 10th career U.S. Open start. "I mean, it's the biggest test in golf," Korda said. "It definitely has tested me a lot. I love it. At the end of the day, this is why we do what we do, is to play these golf courses in these conditions, to test our games in every aspect." --Field Level Media --Field Level Media
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nelly Korda hoping patience pays off in quest to recapture the magic
Nelly Korda is preaching patience, but acknowledges that might be difficult for those admirers of the 'best swing in golf' who recall the American knocking off consecutive titles last year at record-breaking pace. Of course, it was unfeasible for Korda to maintain a run that brought her five successive tournament wins – including a major – and then proceed to make it six trophies from seven. Yet when Korda triumphed at the Mizuho Americas Open last May – the female game's superstar adding to her iconic image by raising her arms aloft with the New York City skyline and Statue of Liberty in the background – few would have predicted that there would only be one more success in the 12 months and 19 starts that followed. Going into this week's US Women's Open, the 26-year-old remains the world No 1, but it perhaps says plenty about the injection of realism into her story that Korda's status is under threat from Jeeno Thitikul. With two victories already this season, and three in her last nine appearances, the 22-year-old Thai has actually usurped Korda as the betting favourite for the major at Erin Hills – an achievement in itself. But Korda insists she remains unfazed. 'I can understand what people say, but this is just the game of golf and it's life and it's up and down,' Korda said at the Wisconsin course. 'Look, it's never going to be easy, and when you think you kind of have it figured out, it's just going to humble you really quickly. 'The thing is just always stay patient, keep doing what you're doing. What I've learnt is that I'm going to control what I can control. And what I can't? Well, I'm kind of going to let go of that and not stress about it and just go about my business. 'Look, last year was last year. What I achieved in 2024, no one can take that from me. That's always going to be such a great memory. But it's been a campaign and a fresh mindset. 'It's been a very interesting year for me. I definitely have had a bit of good and a bit of bad. I've kind of been in the mix in every event that I've played in.' Korda is wise not to panic, as she has the lowest scoring average on tour so far in 2025 and her form has hardly gone through the clubhouse floorboards. And even her dream season was not without its setbacks. After a two-month absence with neck issues that led to debilitating migraines, Korda returned in November and won in Florida. Since then she has racked up four top-seven placings in her most recent eight competitions, including a fifth behind Thitikul three weeks ago. Yet, despite finishing 14th in her defence at the Chevron Championship, the season's first major, last month, she was never in serious contention and her record at the US Women's Open certainly does not inspire great hope. Korda has played in her national championship on 10 occasions and only recorded two top-10s, with a best performance of eighth. She was seemingly at the peak of her powers last year, but shockingly shot a first-round 80 at Lancaster Country Club and comfortably missed the cut. It was the third time she had failed to qualify for the weekend in the last five editions of the US Women's Open. Considering the piles of garlands she has collected from other events, she would be forgiven for a feeling of indifference, but Korda was putting on a courageous and positive front as she prepared for a marquee first-round threeball on Thursday, also featuring countrywoman Lexi Thompson and England's Charley Hull. 'Yeah, it's tested me a lot over the years – but, I mean, it's the biggest test in the game and I love it,' she said. 'At the end of the day, this is why we do what we do, is to play these golf courses in these conditions, to test our games in every aspect. Not even just our games, but the mental side, as well. I enjoy it and I'm excited to see what this week is going to bring.' And Korda claims the expectations will not be a problem. 'Every year something has challenged me, and every year I learn a little bit more about myself and how to handle myself in certain situations,' she said. 'It's all about putting yourself into that position and being grateful for being in that spot. And relish it all. Even the pressure.'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Nelly Korda preaching patience as she seeks her first title of the year at US Women's Open
Nelly Korda reacts after finishing on the 18th green during the final round of the Mizuho Americas Open LPGA golf tournament, Sunday, May 11, 2025, in Jersey City, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) ERIN, Wis. (AP) — Nelly Korda says she has learned the value of patience during a season in which titles haven't come as easily as they did for her a year earlier. That trait is particularly important this week at the U.S. Women's Open, a tournament that hasn't been kind to the world's top-ranked player. Korda never has finished higher than a tie for eighth and has missed the cut three of the last five years. Advertisement That history provides plenty of incentive for Korda as she heads into the U.S. Women's Open starting Thursday at Erin Hills. She is seeking her first title of the season. 'I mean, it's the biggest test in golf,' Korda said. 'It definitely has tested me a lot. I love it. At the end of the day, this is why we do what we do, is to play these golf courses in these conditions, to test our games in every aspect.' Korda, 26, understands that challenge all too well. Last year, she entered the U.S. Women's Open having won six of her last seven events, then fell out of contention early. She posted a 10 on her third hole of the tournament, carded an 80 in the opening round and missed the cut at Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club. Advertisement Her average score of 68.88 leads all LPGA competitors, but her lack of titles this year is notable after a spectacular 2024 season in which she won seven times in 16 starts. She won five straight events at one point last year, tying a record she now shares with Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam. 'It's been a very interesting year for me,' Korda said. 'I definitely have had a bit of good and a bit of bad. Kind of a mix in kind of every event that I've played in. I would say just patience is what I've learned, and kind of going back home and really locking in and practicing hard.' Korda's lack of championships reflects the balance in women's golf this year, as the LPGA Tour hasn't had a single player win multiple titles through its first 12 events of the season. Korda will seek a breakthrough this week at Erin Hills, a 6,829-yard, par-72 course located less than 40 miles (64 kilometers) northwest of Milwaukee. Erin Hills' relative lack of trees can make the course particularly difficult on windy days. Advertisement 'Weather plays a pretty big role out here, especially with kind of no coverage, no trees to block it. It's kind of a very big open field,' Korda said. 'When it gets windy out here, it's really going to play with your golf ball. It's just kind of seeing what the day has in store and having a game plan for it.' What's at stake The 80th U.S. Women's Open has a $12 million purse, with the winner earning $2.4 million. That makes it the most lucrative event of the women's golf season. Saso seeks third title Yuka Saso is the defending champion and the first person to win titles representing two countries. Saso represented the Philippines for her 2021 title and represented Japan last year. Her mother is Filipina and her dad is Japanese. Advertisement Those U.S. Women's Open championships are Saso's only career LPGA Tour titles. She tried to explain this week why she plays her best on this stage. 'I think it's so difficult that I have no time to relax, which I think makes me focus deeper,' Saso said. 'I think that helps.' Watch out for wind Erin Hills was a rather forgiving course when the U.S. Open came here in 2017 and Brooks Koepka won at 16-under par to tie the tournament record. The relative lack of wind that week led to low scores. 'Let's face it,' said Shannon Rouillard, the United States Golf Association's senior director of championships. 'The 2017 U.S. Open didn't play how we had hoped it to play because Mother Nature didn't show up.' Advertisement Rouillard believes this week should be different. 'Will Mother Nature show up?' Rouillard said. 'Right now she's telling us she's going to show up. That will play a major component into our overall setup plan.' Ko's video scouting Lydia Ko took an unusual approach to preparing for Erin Hills. The world's third-ranked player went on YouTube to watch golf pros Wesley Bryan and George Bryan and YouTube content creator Grant Horvat tackle the course. The Bryan brothers put videos of themselves playing various courses on their Bryan Bros Golf YouTube channel. 'I got into YouTube golf because of my husband, and I won't be shy to say I watch it on my own now,' Ko said. 'It's probably not the preparation that many of the other players did, but it was just a good way for me to kind of see the golf course.' ___ AP golf:
RTÉ News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Leona Maguire suffers back-to-back cuts
Leona Maguire's underwhelming 2025 season continued as she made it back-to-back missed cuts with a second-round 75 at the Riviera Maya Open in Mexico. The Cavan golfer has one top 10 finish and one top 20 finish in 10 events this season, but had made the cut in every tournament until the Mizuho Americas Open earlier this month. A 75 in Round 2 cost her then, and she carded successive 75s at El Camaleon Golf Course to ensure she wouldn't be around for the weekend following a six-over total. Starting at the 10th, Maguire birdied her second hole to move to two-over, but she would drop five further shots with her only other birdie coming on the par-five 18th. Jenny Bae shot her second straight round of 69 to eke in front of the pack. Bae birdied the 18th hole to reach six-under, finishing the day one stroke better than Brianna Do and China's Miranda Wang, who had the round of the day with a seven-under 65. Bae is ranked No. 222 in the world, Wang is No. 225 and Do is primed to leap up from the No. 840 position. Bae, 23, hails from Georgia and has yet to win on the LPGA Tour. She collected her three professional wins on the Epson Tour. "When I go home, I usually try to do the same routine, you know, go see my coach and try to improve on the little things since I don't have that much time to do something drastic," Bae said. "So just try to get my confidence back up back home and come out here with a positive and clear mind." Her clear mind showed Friday as she pulled out five birdies to counteract two bogeys despite missing seven greens in regulation. Wang, an LPGA rookie, matched her career-low score by making seven birdies without a bogey. She was one of only two players to go bogey-free on Friday, joined by Scotland's Gemma Dryburgh.
