Despite being the world number one, Nelly Korda may not be the favourite to win The Women’s Open at St Andrews this week, with the American having one incredibly turbulent season.
When Nelly Korda won the Chevron Championship for her second major title, she was in the midst of a run of six victories in seven starts. However, Korda has subsequently missed the cut at The Women’s US Open as well as at The Women’s PGA Championship. A tied 26th finish at the Evian Championship was actually her worst result at the event since 2018.
The Women’s Open has, on paper, been the toughest major for the 26-year-old, with just one top 10 during her career to date. But of course, this year sees the event take place at St Andrews for the first time since 2013.
Nelly Korda shares biggest challenge she’ll face in tough conditions at St Andrews
Certainly, the field are likely to get the full experience when it comes to playing on the Scottish links, with the forecast for Thursday proving to be cold, windy and rainy. That could certainly act as a leveller, particularly when The Women’s Open is not always held on links courses.
Korda was asked about the biggest challenges she will face in the testing conditions, and she suggested that making sure that she is not restricted in the weather is going to be key.
“For me, it’s actually staying warm and being able to feel my hands, because that’s usually why I have gloves, even when it’s not necessarily too cold, I stick my hands in the gloves and I have hand warmers in there, so staying warm and staying loose and not tightening up and being able to commit to your shots,” she said.
World number one has potential to blow field away
St Andrews definitely offers plenty of opportunities, particularly for a player with Korda’s power. She is 26th on the LPGA Tour this season for driving distance, while she is 45th for driving accuracy.
But the Old Course also has a way of tripping golfers up, particularly if the weather is causing problems. There are unlikely to be too many birdies on 16, 17 this week, especially as the pressure starts to hit as the finishing line emerges on the horizon.
Korda has struggled with some of her opening rounds in recent months, so she will be desperate to get off to a fast start on Thursday – or certainly a start, at least, which does not all but end her hopes of clinching her third major title on Sunday.
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