06/06/26 09:15:00
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06/06 21:14 CDT Nelly Korda seizes share of 3rd-round lead at US Women's Open
with late birdie spree
Nelly Korda seizes share of 3rd-round lead at US Women's Open with late birdie
spree
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --- Nelly Korda seized a share of the lead at the U.S. Women's
Open on Saturday with her second straight 4-under 67, ending with three
consecutive birdies and finishing even with Sei Young Kim at 6-under 207.
Korda, the world No. 1 and a three-time major winner after dominating The
Chevron Championship in April, has played her way into prime position to
contend for her second straight major title and first U.S. Open championship
Sunday at Riviera.
Korda was seven shots off the lead after her opening-round 73, but she got into
contention with Friday's lowest score before surging steadily up the
leaderboard on moving day.
"Tt's always amazing to be in this position," Korda said. "That's what we work
so hard for, to be in this spot. So whatever happens tomorrow happens, but I'm
going to give it my all and see what the outcome is."
Several players traded the lead on a sunny afternoon in front of the week's
biggest crowd at this 100-year-old country club in Pacific Palisades. Seven
players were within two shots of the top of a leaderboard crowded with major
winners.
First-round leader Jennifer Kupcho and 2015 U.S. Women's Open champion In Gee
Chun were a shot back at 5 under after 69s, while second-round co-leader
Ruoning Yin, Mexico's Gaby Lopez and Japan's Nasa Hataoka were 4 under.
But Sunday's field will have to tangle with Korda, who has been near the top of
her formidable game for the past two days.
Korda chipped in from the fringe for birdie on the third hole Saturday, and she
nailed an 18-foot birdie putt on the sixth. She finished with her birdie spree,
reaching the par-5 17th green in two before smashing her 154-yard approach shot
to 4 feet on the 18th.
Korda had never posted consecutive rounds in the 60s in a U.S. Women's Open,
not even last year when she tied for second at Erin Hills. She believes that
experience and her ongoing work on her mental game have put her in a prime
position to execute Sunday.
"I'm not going to get too frustrated," Korda said. "I think last year I really,
really wanted it, and the more you want it, sometimes the more you stiffen up
and you get a little bit more nervous. So I play my best golf when I'm happy,
free Nelly and I'm kind of joking around out there. That's kind of the attitude
that I'm going to have (Sunday)."
Kim was one shot off the lead after each of the first two rounds, and the South
Korean star carded a steady 68 after a birdie on 17 to stay right on pace with
Korda.
"I tried to keep my patience and just waited for a chance," said Kim, a 13-time
winner on the LPGA Tour. "When the chances came to me, I just made it."
Both second-round leaders are also still firmly in contention. Southern
California native Alison Lee was one shot off the lead on the back nine before
making three late bogeys and finishing at 3 under, while Yin made three bogeys
on the front nine before getting back to 4 under with two late birdies.
Lee, who gave birth to son Levi 15 months ago, would be only the fourth mother
to win the U.S. Open and the first since Juli Inkster in 2002.
England's Charley Hull carded Saturday's low round at 65, making seven birdies
and moving just three shots back of the lead. Asterisk Talley, a 17-year-old
amateur from California's Central Valley, shot a 66.
___
AP golf: https://apnews.com/golf
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