Nelly Korda found her rhythm late at Liberty National, firing three birdies in her final five holes for a 4-under 68 that earned her a share of the lead at the Mizuho Americas Open. The defending champion is tied at 8-under 136 with Somi Lee of South Korea and Andrea Lee after Friday’s second round.
The course played exceptionally long under rainy, cloudy conditions. Even Korda and world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul needed fairway metals to reach the 429-yard ninth hole in regulation.
“You just have to really dial into everything you’re doing in these conditions with it kind of being on-and-off rain and getting colder and some wind,” Korda said. “We did a really good job with that.”
Somi Lee carded a 67 despite two late bogeys, while Andrea Lee matched Korda’s 68 to grab their shares of the lead.
It’s worth noting that Korda, who’s dominated women’s golf and holds a substantial lead in the world rankings, hasn’t claimed a victory yet this season. She won this event last year as part of her impressive six-win campaign in 2023.
Thitikul, who led by two shots after an opening 64, initially extended her advantage with three birdies in her first four holes. But her momentum stalled dramatically with four bogeys the rest of the way, including a three-putt on the ninth, resulting in a 73.
She’s now part of a group at 7-under 137 that includes Celine Boutier (71), Carlota Ciganda (70) and Stephanie Kyriacou (69).
“I thought it was tough but I was excepting it to be a lot tougher,” Boutier said about the conditions. “When it came down, it came down pretty hard, so that was a bit tough. I think the toughest part was how cold it got at the end. Definitely the hands were getting pretty stiff and cold, so it was a little bit harder there.”
