Nelly Korda edged ever closer to capturing her third major championship as she set a fresh benchmark for the lowest 36‑hole total at the Chevron Championship, widening her margin to six strokes as the tournament moved into its final round. The American, currently ranked second in the world, posted a remarkable 14‑under‑par after delivering a second consecutive round of 65, a score that no other competitor could match over the first two days – the nearest anyone came was a 67.
Korda’s flawless play continued through the closing holes of the second round, where she birdied each of the last two holes to further solidify her advantage. In fact, she recorded only a single bogey across her opening two rounds at Memorial Park in Houston, underscoring the consistency that has defined her performance this week.
This achievement represents the best 36‑hole tally of Korda’s major‑championship career and ranks as the third‑lowest 36‑hole total ever recorded in an LPGA major. Only Jeongeun Lee‑6 (127), Brooke Henderson (128) and In‑Gee Chun (129) have posted lower scores, all of which were set at the Evian Championship – the French event that was elevated to major status in 2013.
Korda’s six‑stroke cushion also ties the record for the largest 36‑hole lead at an LPGA major since 1980, matching the margins posted by Patty Sheehan in 1990 and In‑Gee Chun in 2022. When asked about her position, Korda emphasized her mental composure: “I feel comfortable with my game. The part I’m most at ease with is my mindset – I know that if I make a mistake I can work it out.
Sometimes you get caught up in the desire to always play well and stay on top, and that creates tension and a fear of making errors.” The leaderboard at the Chevron Championship showed Korda holding a six‑stroke advantage over Patty Tavatanakit, who sat alone in second place at eight‑under. Trailing them were Ina Yoon, Ryan O’Toole and amateur Farah O’Keefe – one of eight amateurs still in the field – all sharing third place a shot further back. World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul suffered a surprising early exit, missing the cut after opening with a 74 and following up with a 73 on Friday, leaving her three over par for the two rounds.
LPGA rookie Mimi Rhodes, who had been in contention after an opening 69, also failed to make the cut, collapsing over her final five holes to finish with a six‑over 78. Other English hopefuls, Charlie Hull and Lottie Woad, managed to survive the cut, sitting at two‑under and one‑over respectively after posting rounds of 70 and 72 on Friday.
As the third round approaches, anticipation builds around who will ultimately claim the Chevron Championship title. Live coverage will commence on Saturday at 7 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf, with streaming options available for viewers without a contract. Golf fans can also enjoy additional content such as the Sky Sports Golf Podcast and a range of live Sky Golf schedules.
Beyond the tournament itself, golfers and enthusiasts can explore booking opportunities at more than 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, with convenient search tools for finding courses by location, city or postal code. This expansive network ensures that players of all levels have access to top‑quality facilities for practice and play. In summary, Korda’s dominant performance at the Chevron Championship not only highlights her exceptional skill and mental resilience but also places her firmly in contention for yet another major victory. With a six‑stroke lead and a historic 36‑hole score, she has set a high bar for the final round, and all eyes will be on her as she strives to secure her place among the sport’s elite.