Nelly Korda has played some fine golf over the week in Florida but still finds herself six shots back of Jeeno Thitikul at the CME Group Tour Championship.
Korda once again produced a good round on day three to shoot seven under.
However, the world number two still finds herself six shots back of Thitikul, who carded an even better round of 64 to go six clear of Korda and Pajaree Anannarukarn.
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With round four to come, it would take an almighty hiccup from Thitikul to throw it away. But as this is golf, you just never know and a player of Korda’s quality could well cause an upset.
Nevertheless, Korda doesn’t appear to be getting ahead of herself.
Nelly Korda says what her tactics will be for trying to catch Jeeno Thitikul
With Korda six back of Jeeno Thitikul heading into the final round, the world number two was asked if there’ll be a change of tactics or if she’ll push even harder.
Korda, though, suggested it’s business as usual.
“No, because I feel like when you start to push a little harder sometimes the mistakes do start to creep in a little bit. You just have to be focused on your process and yourself,” Korda said.
“If it happens, it happens. You know, just know that you are out there competing hard and you’re trying to win, but you also have to not get too ahead of yourself and play the game. Because if you start to get a little too ahead of yourself and push a little too hard those mistakes do start to creep in and it’s not going to be beneficial.”
Asked for further comment on how she’ll reflect on her 2025 season, Korda suggested there’d been some jittery moments along the way.
“Yeah, that it just blew by honestly. I played really great golf. Played some iffy golf. Think that’s every year you kind of do that,” she continued.
“But I’m just grateful for the people around me. Yeah. Thank you.”
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The LPGA Tour could usurp the PGA Tour in 2026 if Korda regains her form
It was only a year ago that Nelly Korda was in the same sort of form as Scottie Scheffler, as she dominated the LPGA and won seven times.
In 2025, it just hasn’t happened for Korda, while even Thitikul has only won one LPGA Tour event, coupled with a win on the China Tour as well.
With Thitikul likely to hang on here in Florida, all eyes will be on 2026 and if we can see Korda regain form, Thitikul win more often, and ultimately, a two-way battle for supremacy unfold.
Much like Scheffler and McIlroy on the men’s side, we could see some fireworks if both can get it going early in ’26. And with the likes of Brooke Henderson, Charley Hull and Lydia Ko more than able deputies, the depth on the LPGA is stronger than ever right now.
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