THE WOODLANDS, Texas — Nelly Korda’s defense of her Chevron Championship title got off to such a rough start that the world’s top-ranked golfer is in serious danger of missing the cut in the LPGA’s first major of the year.
Korda had a morning tee time during Thursday’s opening round at The Club at Carlton Woods—the kind she likes by the way. But her mood changed quickly when she bogeyed four consecutive holes early in the round en route to a five-over 77, 12 shots off the Day 1 lead and four off the early projected cutline.
“I just have to go work. I mean, I’m not hitting it well,” Korda said afterward. “That’s about it.”
It was not the start anyone imagined, and Korda appeared on the verge of tears as she answered a few questions. Asked what the biggest challenge was on the day, she said: “golf.”
It’s a feeling everyday golfers can understand, but one that’s especially difficult for Korda. Nothing seemed to be going right, and there were no signs of a day like this. She didn’t advance to the weekend at the T-Mobile Match Play Championship last month but she had a pair of top-10 finishes in five starts so far this season with nothing worse than a T-28 showing. The 77 was her worst score by four shots in 2025.
