‘I’m Like a Little Kid Playing Golf’: Nelly Korda Plays Cool at Women’s Open | golf

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Looks like less is more for Nelly Korda. Eyebrows rose as the world No. 1 seed chose to avoid pre-tournament media duties at the Women’s Open, with whispers abounding at Carnoustie about why the recently crowned Olympic champion chose to avoid the spotlight. The explanation for the reservation turned out to be quite straightforward.

“It’s been two long weeks,” Korda said. “It was my pro day and I was really tired. I wasn’t progressing really well and just went to the range to try and get ready for the next four days. Sometimes you have to give your body a break.” pressure what pressure? “It doesn’t matter what my arrangement is,” Korda said. “Everyone goes to this event ready and they want to win.

“This is kind of like a mentality that I try to internalize in every event. Obviously there are expectations but you just try to settle in, keep your head down and move on.”

The repressed politics has paid off so far. Korda signed 67, including a Birdie-Birdie finish which is a far cry from the norm on one of the world’s most challenging championship courts. Her brutal approach to 17, to six feet, was among the picks that day. Korda’s round included eight birds, illustrating the level of damage you could do to Carnoustie if the bugs were eliminated. “I’m just golfing like a little girl, enjoying myself in this cold weather,” added a smiling Korda.

It turns out that the “little girl” had learned from the voice of experience. Karen Staples, winner of this event in 2004, is in Carnoustie as part of the broadcast team. A serendipitous conversation between 48-year-old Stupples and Korda on Wednesday affected the US PGA champion’s thought process.

“Karen was telling me that if you’re in bunkers on fairways, that’s a big punishment,” Korda said. “Today was fine because it wasn’t too windy and you can be aggressive, but when the wind gets obviously stronger, just take that four iron and give yourself another four iron because it’s easier to go up and down from the green than out of the vaulting and then getting 170 again. She hit a five-iron off a tee on the 11th yesterday and we talked about it. What she said is very true. She played really well, and benefited from a quieter day.”

Charlie Hall, who was playing with Korda, required treatment in his course to shake the back. By that point, Hal was starting to have a double ghost, a ghost. Another dual, on the 17th, contributed to the Ugly 77 achievement. Hal’s fellow Englishman Mel Reed slipped to 75. Korda’s older sister, Jessica, was three after 12 before the end of the horror—Carnoustie could do it to the best of them—I left her one.

Madeleine Sajstrom’s pairing with Solheim European Cup captain Catriona Matthew looked significant, with only a few days left for the wildcard selections for the biennial event to be announced. Sagstrom, who represented Europe in 2017, is out of the automatic qualification positions this time around. A 67, which was only destroyed by a ghost at the end, certainly helped the Swede’s condition.

“Of course, I want to show off my game against Catriona,” said Sagstrom. “I can’t deny it. I’m playing well at the moment. Who knows where her mind is right now? I’m just trying to play as best I can to give myself a chance for this team.

“I didn’t put a lot of pressure on myself this time. I put more pressure on myself in ’17 and ’19, and I really want to make this team, and now I’m kind of in a state that I like, if I’m good enough, I’m going to do that team.” “

Kim Se Young, who has 17 professional wins to her name, joined Club 67 later in the day.

Lydia Koe’s number 72 was marked by a straight back nine. Danielle Kang produced a bogey triple-eight in 14th on her way to 76. Last month’s Evian champion Mingjie Li had back-to-back main wins after 71. Holes span from 8, played in equal five. “I will shorten the day as eventful,” said the Australian.

Georgia Hall, the 2018 winner, found herself outside the world’s top 50 at various points this year and started in the 43rd main position. Played in the afternoon wave, she had reason to be satisfied with a score of 68. Hall’s score was matched, impressively, by Scottish amateur Louise Duncan. Sofia Popov, the defending champion, is at the same level.

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