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Nelly Korda was the favorite heading into the U.S. Women’s Open this week, but an absolute meltdown in the first round has shaken things up for the world No. 1.
Korda, who is coming off tying an LPGA record with five straight wins, struggled against the tough terrain at the Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania on Thursday.
Nelly Korda of the United States looks on from the 11th hole during the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally at Lancaster Country Club on May 30, 2024, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
On her third hole of the day, a par-3 on the 12th, Korda shot a septuple-bogey.
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Korda teed off with her first shot landing in a bunker. Her next shot had too much pace for the sloping green and sent her ball down into a stream just past the hole. She took a penalty drop on the other side of the stream but hit the bank, and the ball rolled back into the water.
Nelly Korda chips to the 10th green during the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open golf tournament at Lancaster Country Club, Thursday, May 30, 2024, in Lancaster, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
She would get two more penalty drops after the same outcome and finally got her ball about eight feet out. She missed the putt and finished with a septuple-bogey 10.
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“I just didn’t play well today,” Korda said after the round. “I didn’t hit it good. I found myself in the rough a lot and making a 10 on a par-3 will definitely not do you any good at a U.S. Open.”
“Overall, just a bad day in the office,” she said, managing a smile.
Nelly Korda (USA) hits a tee shot on the tenth hole during the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open golf tournament. (John Jones-USA TODAY Sports)
The rough start has all but demolished Korda’s chances of becoming just the third player in LPGA history to capture the U.S. Women’s Open title as the No. 1 ranked player. She shot an 80 to finish the day T129.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Paulina Dedaj is a Sports Reporter for Fox News Digital.
