Nelly Korda faces an uphill battle if she’s to win back-to-back Olympic golds at Le Golf National this weekend.
Korda is currently tied-12th and sits on two under after 36 holes. The world number one is six shots back Morgane Métraux, who leads on eight under. Round one pacesetter Céline Boutier struggled on Thursday, carding a four-over 76.
For the usually dominant American, a low round is required on Friday if she’s to stand any chance of making the podium at the 2018 Ryder Cup venue. After struggling of late, Korda claimed her game was trending in the right direction before the event, and the early signs are promising for the 26-year-old.
Now, Korda has been assessing her chances ahead of the final two days at Le Golf National.
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The American was asked whether she could make up the current six-shot deficit over the next two days during her post-round press conference.
“I mean, we’ll see. Like, I’m going to try. I’m going always to try my hardest, and I’m going to — if I’m hitting it well off the tee, which I was today, and I was hitting good shots in, and I was giving myself opportunities, yes,” said Korda. “If I’m hitting it bad, then no, it’s tough to do that out here.”
The American added: “It’s all about, you know, if I can get my whole game together for the next two days, and if I would have done this on the last day or, let’s say, the third day, then I would be extremely heartbroken. But I still have 36 more holes, and anything can happen. I’m trying to see the positive in this.”
Korda then went on to highlight Scottie Scheffler’s stunning final round in the men’s competition as proof that a big deficit can be made up.
“You know, Scottie came back, shot 9-under, and he won,” Korda added. “So you know, if you’re hitting your shots, then you’re staying present, and I think anything can happen.”
Team USA trio in with a good chance at Le Golf National
Korda is part of a three-pronged American team that includes Lilia Vu and Rose Zhang. The world number one is currently tied with Zhang, although Korda is set to tee off just before the world number nine on Friday.
Vu is one shot back from her compatriots after carding a one-over 73 on day two at Le Golf National. Despite the reasonably average start from the three American superstars, there’s every chance of one of them making a charge for a podium spot.
As we saw in the men’s event, scoring opportunities do present themself at Le Golf National, which could allow one of Korda, Zhang or Vu to go low over the weekend.
And if Korda were to chase down the leaders, she would become the first golfer in history to become a double Olympic champion.
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