Nelly Korda Thrives in Rain, Shares Lead at Mizuho Americas Open

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Defending champion Nelly Korda found her rhythm late in a challenging second round of the Mizuho Americas Open on Friday. Korda made three birdies in her last five holes, finishing with a 4-under 68, to share the lead with Lee So-mi and Andrea Lee at Liberty National Golf Club.

The weather posed challenges, as rain and cloud cover made the course play longer than usual. On the par-4 ninth hole, Korda and fellow competitor Jeeno Thitikul had to use fairway metals for their approach on the 429-yard hole. ‘Just have to really dial into everything that 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 of South Korea also played well, recording seven birdies in her round of 67, despite two bogeys. She, along with fellow morning starter Andrea Lee, who shot a 68, joined Korda at the top of the leaderboard at 8-under 136.

Korda, currently ranked No. 1 in women’s golf, has yet to win this year, though she clinched the Mizuho Americas Open last season for her sixth victory of 2024. Thitikul began the round with a two-shot lead, having opened with a 64. She made three birdies in four holes early on but faltered late, recording a 73.

Thitikul, who is No. 2 in the world, is currently at 7-under 137, just one shot behind the leaders, alongside Celine Boutier, Stephanie Kyriacou, Carlota Ciganda, Julia Lopez Ramirez, and Jenny Bae.

‘I thought it was tough but I was expecting it to be a lot tougher,’ Boutier remarked. ‘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.’

During her round, Korda started on the back nine, birdying par-three 11th and the 14th but ended that side with two bogeys. She responded with two additional birdies on the front nine, signaling a strong finish. ‘The birdie on 1 after bogeying my last two holes was a nice momentum shift,’ Korda said. ‘You have to reset and just know you have nine more holes to go.’

Lee So-mi, a five-time winner in the Korean LPGA, aimed for her first LPGA title. She started strong but finished the round with two bogeys on the last two holes. Andrea Lee played a bogey-free round, a remarkable performance given the weather challenges.

As the tournament progresses, Korda and her competitors will continue to face tricky conditions that will test their skills. With two rounds remaining, the competition promises to be fierce as they vie for the title.