Nelly Korda seems back to her leading finest at the home of golf.
The top-ranked American grasped extra gusting problems atSt Andrews by firing a bogey-free, 4-under 68 in the 2nd round on Friday to take a three-stroke lead at the Women’s British Open.
Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., missed out on the cut after a 2nd round of 76 left her at 9 over via 2 rounds.
Worse for Korda’s opponents is that she is heating to web links golf, as well.
“This year in general, I’ve won on just so many different types of grasses, in different types of conditions, that you just kind of always have to adapt,” stated Korda, that was 8-under the same level for the event. “That’s the same thing in tennis, same thing in life.
“You’re constantly adjusting to your circumstances handy, and I assume that’s what’s so enjoyable concerning web links golf– you’re essentially beginning it 30 lawns left of your target, and I’m not a discolor gamer yet I’m striking enormous fades. I assume it’s enjoyable striking these little reduced motorists, as well. I’m enjoying, and I take pleasure in web links golf a great deal.”
Korda has played her first two rounds with defending champion Lilia Vu and England’s Charley Hull, a crowd favorite playing in her home major, and the marquee group has lived up to its billing.
Hull, the overnight leader by one stroke after a first-round 67, shot even par and was tied for second place on 5 under with Vu, who shot 70.
They were outplayed by Korda on a day when the wind wasn’t quite as brutal as Day 1, but Hull was bullish heading into the weekend.
“Only 3 shots behind– that’s absolutely nothing entering into the weekend break, specifically on this golf links,” said the No. 10-ranked Hull, who is seeking her first major title. ” I left a great deal of putts around. I assume Nelly had 30 putts and I had 36 putts. So that’s 6 putts that I’ve shed to her on the eco-friendlies.”
Defending champion Yin in the hunt
Ruoning Yin, last year’s Women’s PGA Championship winner from China, shot 72 and was alone in the fourth place on 4 under.
Olympic champion Lydia Ko shot a 70 and was one of six players on 3 under — five strokes off the lead — at the halfway point. In that group was Swedish amateur Louise Rydqvist, who shot 67.
Only 20 players were under par after 36 holes following two windy days at the Old Course. The forecast is for calmer weather over the weekend.
Korda started out a stroke behind Hull, who bogeyed two of her first five holes after the group began at No. 10 and fell further behind when the American rolled in long putts to birdie both Nos. 17 and 18 for the second straight day.
Playing with a new putter, Korda made another birdie at the par-5 fifth hole and then two-putted from the fringe for birdie at No. 9 after nearly driving the green. Vu and Hull also birdied the last hole to stay three shots back and in touch.
Korda looks destined to better her previous best finish at the Women’s British Open — ninth place in 2019. That’s her only top 10 at this major.
“I’m simply attempting to remain extremely existing and not consider anything besides round each time,” said Korda, a two-time major winner. “And whatever golf and web links golf tosses at me, I’m mosting likely to take it directly.”
