Nelly Korda is five shots back of the lead at the Olympic golf event, and the world number was perhaps a little fortunate during her third round at Le Golf National.
Korda sits at four under after carding a consecutive round of 70 at the 2018 Ryder Cup venue. Morgane Metraux leads the way on nine under after shooting a one-under 71. Rose Zhang, part of the three-pronged American team along with Korda, is T3 on seven under.
The world number one hasn’t quite been able to get things going in Paris. After sitting on six under heading to the 16th on Thursday, the 26-year-old proceeded to make a quadruple-bogey 7 to play her way back out of contention. Despite the disastrous end to her round, Korda was still pleased to finish under par.
Fortunately, Korda’s luck may have changed after what happened during her third round.
Nelly Korda reveals caddie conversation after second shot on the 15th at Le Golf National
Korda made a stunning birdie on the 397-yard par-four 15th, a hole which is lined by water down the right side and coming into the green.
After finding the left side of the fairway, Korda played her second shot close before making the birdie putt. However, the American has revealed her approach wasn’t as she intended.
“Because that was definitely not where I was trying to go,” Korda explained in her post-round press conference.
“We were trying to go middle of the green, and I actually said — I was like, where are you going? And that’s exactly what my caddie said to me after, too.”
The world number one then shared what her caddie, Jason McDede, said after her approach. Korda added: “He said, ‘Where are you going?’ I know you’re good enough to hit it where we talked about.'”
Clearly, the American’s approach wasn’t meant to flirt with the hazard as much as it did, but neither Korda nor McDede will be disappointed with the end result.
Nelly Korda seeking Olympic going history at Le Golf National
Considering Korda’s water hazard woes this season, she’s probably due some luck. Only a matter of months ago, the 26-year-old stunned golf fans after making a ten at the Women’s US Open after finding the water hazard three times on the par-three 12th.
After her disappointing quadruple bogey on the 16th on Thursday, Korda will feel she’s probably deserving of some rest-bite.
Looking at the competition, she stands every chance of making Olympic golfing history this weekend. As Scottie Scheffler demonstrated, no lead is safe at Le Golf National, and Korda will be looking to emulate her compatriot on Saturday.
If she can get off to a fast start, she stands every chance of becoming the first person to land two Olympic golf titles.
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