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Korda storms to the top at Women's PGA Championship
American leads by one heading into the weekend
Words: GolfPunk
Photography: PGA of America
Nelly Korda made light work of the Atlanta Athletic Club Highland course on Friday to take a one-shot lead over fellow American Lizette Salas at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. Korda opened with a bogey at her opening hole the 10th and then fired ten birdies, including birdies at her last six holes, to card a nine-under 63. Overnight leader Salas shot a second straight 67 to sit alone in second at ten-under-par for the event. England's Charley Hull, who was second coming into Friday's round, could only find a level-par 70 slipping down into a share of seventh at five-under.
Now, how would Lefty play this?
Korda was the form horse coming into the event following her win last week at LPGA Classic in Michigan, her second win of 2021. "I don't know, I guess I just blacked-out out there," was the 22-year-old's response when asked about her incredible round. "Actually, the one on 17, No. 8, was the highlight of my round. I pushed my drive out right, and I was near a root, so I wasn't even sure if I could hit it. Thankfully I hit just the top of it." "It's so scary when you have those types of shots. To drain a long putt was nice, too."
If I just putt at that and pray!
Salas was flawless once again on day two, keeping to her plan of hitting fairways and greens, which produced 36 holes of bogey-free golf. " I'm definitely satisfied. We came in with some goals, and we're reaching them," Salas said. "It's a major. It's supposed to be tough. I think I'm handling it quite well. And back-to-back 67s, I'm not going to complain."
Be good, pleease be good!
The trio of Celine Boutier of France American Cydney Clanton and Canada's Alena Sharp share third place on seven-under four back from Korda. Boutier took advantage of the 6th tee being pushed up on day two, driving the green to eight feet to set up an eagle on her way to an eight-under 64. Ireland's Leona Maguire, who was in great form coming into the event, carded a two-under-par 70 to sit on the same mark for the event alongside England's Georgia Hall.
Strike a pose!
England's Mel Reid (73) and Jodi Ewart Shadoff (71) agonisingly missed the cut by just one shot. Another missing the cut by just one shot was Mexican Maria Fassi, who incurred a two-shot penalty for slow play. Not unsurprisingly, Fassi was furious. "I'm not a slow player," she said. "So I did take more time on the second shot, but I told the rules official that there has to be some common sense that I don't think existed on this occasion."
