Nelly Korda still on top at LPGA’s Drive On Championship after penultimate round

MIAMI – Nelly Korda carded a three-under 68 to widen her advantage after three rounds at the LPGA Drive On Championship in Bradenton, Florida.

The world No. 4 started Jan 27 with a two-stroke lead before recording three birdies, an eagle and two bogeys at Bradenton Country Club to move to 13-under 200.

She holds a four-shot edge over fellow American Megan Khang (66), Japan’s Ayaka Furue and Lydia Ko of New Zealand (both 69).

It was rough in the early going for Korda, who posted back-to-back bogeys at the par-three seventh and the par-five eighth holes.

But those ended up being her only blemishes, and she surged late, going eagle-birdie at Nos. 17 and 18 to close her round.

“I birdied the par-five (sixth) and then unfortunately snap hooked my next two tee shots, which ended up both of them being bogeys,” the 25-year-old said.

“And then just had a fresh attitude coming into the back nine. I mean, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. Hopefully, I can lead that into (Jan 28).”

Korda, a Bradenton native, gave caddie Jason McDede credit for keeping her composed during the rough patch on the front nine.

“It’s nice to have a really positive teammate like I do in Jason,” she said. “He always makes sure I keep my head up and never doubt myself pretty much, to tell myself that I can make any hole an opportunity for birdie.”

Korda is on course to claim her first LPGA victory since November 2022, when she won the Pelican Women’s Championship. The former world No. 1’s sole Major title is the 2021 Women’s PGA Championship.

Just one stroke behind the trio in second are China’s Lin Xiyu (70), South Korean Kim Sei-young (69), Robyn Choi (66) of Australia and American Auston Kim, who secured the low-round honours with a 64 to skyrocket 35 spots on the leaderboard.

American rookie Kim collected three birdies and an eagle over her final five holes. She finished with six birdies and just one bogey – at the par-three ninth.

“It was a bit of a blur. I was just playing golf. I honestly can’t remember what my scorecard looks like,” said the 23-year-old.

“I made bogey on 9 unfortunately, I was an unfortunate three-putt; missed a really short one. But that helped me lock in a little bit more, provide a little bit extra focus.

“Once I made the turn, I felt like I was moving at really good pace, really good tempo.”

South Korea’s Lee So-mi, who was second after the second round, limped to a five-over 76 to drop into a tie for 22nd on 210.

Defending champion and world No. 3 Celine Boutier of France is also joint 22nd after a 72. REUTERS