World No 1 Nelly Korda made a commanding return to LPGA Tour action, finishing the opening round of The Annika just two shots off the lead. After a two-month absence from competitive play, the American delivered a bogey-free seven-under par 63 at Pelican Golf Club in Florida, signaling a swift re-entry into top-tier form. Korda’s performance places her in strong contention for the title as she seeks to re-establish her dominance following a break that saw her last competitive golf at the Solheim Cup in September.
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The lead is currently shared by Japan’s Minami Katsu and South Korea’s Hye-Jin Choi, who sit at nine under par. Fellow American Lindy Duncan also surged ahead of Korda, posting an eight-under 62 that included a hole-in-one. Korda, who played alongside Choi, acknowledged the high standard set by her playing partner, stating, “It was nice to kind of feel those juices flowing again, especially playing with Hye-Jin who just had a great round today.” The tight leaderboard highlights the depth of talent in the field, with multiple players within striking distance of the top spots.
British star Lottie Woad and Irish qualifier Leona Maguire are also making early inroads, sitting four shots back at five under par. Their solid starts suggest a competitive race is brewing for the remainder of the tournament. Fans can follow the action as round two of The Annika begins at 4pm on Friday, with live coverage available on Sky Sports Golf. The event serves as a crucial test for Korda’s consistency as she aims to convert her return into another major victory.
Source: Sky Sports
