Nelly Korda edged even closer to securing a third major championship as she established a new 36-hole scoring benchmark at the Chevron Championship, widening her advantage to six strokes as the tournament moved into its final round. The American, currently ranked second in the world, posted an impressive 14-under-par total after recording a second consecutive round of 65, a score that no other competitor managed to match or surpass over the first two days, with the next best being 67.
Korda finished her second round with birdies on the last two holes, further extending her margin. Remarkably, she has recorded only a single bogey across her opening 36 holes at Memorial Park in Houston, underscoring the consistency of her play. This performance represents the lowest 36-hole total she has ever posted in a major tournament and ranks as the third‑lowest 36‑hole aggregate in the history of LPGA majors. Only Jeongeun Lee6 (127), Brooke Henderson (128) and In Gee Chun (129) have posted better numbers, all of which were achieved at the Evian Championship – the French event that was elevated to major status in 2013.
Korda's six‑stroke lead also ties the record for the largest 36‑hole advantage at an LPGA major since 1980, matching the margins set by Patty Sheehan in 1990 and In Gee Chun in 2022. When asked about her position, Korda said, "I'm comfortable with my game.
I think where I'm the most comfortable is definitely with my mindset of knowing when I mess up I'll figure it out. Sometimes I think you get stuck in wanting to play well and wanting to be at the top always that you have this tension of not wanting to make a mistake." Her calm, self‑assured attitude appears to be paying dividends as she heads into the weekend with a commanding lead. Behind Korda, Patty Tavatanakit sits in sole possession of second place at eight under par, six strokes back. A trio of players – Ina Yoon, Ryan O'Toole and amateur Farah O'Keefe, who is one of eight amateurs still in the field – share third place, each a shot further off the lead.
The tournament has also seen some notable exits. World number one Jeeno Thitikul, who entered the event as a favorite, missed the cut after carding a 74 in the opening round and a 73 on Friday, finishing three over par. LPGA rookie Mimi Rhodes, who had been in contention after a solid opening 69, faltered in the latter part of her second round, dropping four strokes over her final five holes to finish at six over and also miss the cut.
English hopefuls Charlie Hull and Lottie Woad have made the weekend, posting rounds of 70 and 72 respectively on Friday, leaving them at two under and one over par. Their steady play keeps them in contention, though they remain several strokes behind Korda. As the third round approaches, anticipation builds around whether Korda can maintain her dominance and capture the Chevron title.
Live coverage of the final round is set to begin on Saturday at 7 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf, with streaming options available for viewers without a contract. Golf fans can also follow the action through the Sky Sports Golf Podcast and other live streams. The Chevron Championship, one of the LPGA’s most prestigious events, offers a substantial prize purse and significant world‑ranking points, making it a pivotal tournament for players seeking to improve their standing on the tour.
For those interested in playing the same courses, a network of over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland provides booking options, with price comparisons and easy search tools to find a venue by course name, city or postal code. Overall, Korda’s performance to date has been a masterclass in precision, composure, and strategic play.
Her ability to limit mistakes, capitalize on scoring opportunities, and maintain a steady mindset under pressure distinguishes her from the field. Whether she can close out the tournament with a victory remains to be seen, but her current trajectory suggests that a third major title is well within reach.