Nelly Korda edged even nearer to securing a third major championship as the world No. 2 set a fresh benchmark for 36‑hole scoring at the Chevron Championship, widening her advantage to six strokes as the tournament moved into its final round. Having claimed the Chevron title two years earlier, Korda posted a remarkable 14‑under‑par total after carding a second consecutive round of 65. No other competitor managed to break 67 over the first two days, underscoring the dominance of her play.
In the closing stretch of her second round she birdied the last two holes, further extending her lead and demonstrating her capacity to finish strongly under pressure. Remarkably, she recorded only a single bogey across her opening two rounds at Memorial Park in Houston, a testament to her consistency and composure. This performance represents the lowest 36‑hole score of Korda’s major‑championship career and ranks as the third‑best 36‑hole total ever recorded in an LPGA major. Only Jeongeun Lee 6 (127), Brooke Henderson (128) and In‑Gee Chun (129) have posted better numbers, all of which were achieved at the Evian Championship – the French tournament 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, a margin previously matched by Patty Sheehan in 1990 and In‑Gee Chun in 2022. Such a commanding lead at the midway point of a major is a rare feat and highlights Korda’s current form. Reflecting on her play, 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 comments reveal a mature approach to the mental side of golf, emphasizing resilience and a willingness to accept occasional errors as part of the process. The leaderboard after 36 holes shows Korda holding a six‑stroke advantage over Patty Tavatanakit, who sits alone in second place at eight‑under. A trio of players – Ina Yoon, Ryan O'Toole and amateur Farah O'Keefe (one of eight amateurs in the field) – share third place, each a stroke further back. Notably, world No.
1 Jeeno Thitikul suffered a surprising cut miss, posting a 74 in the opening round and a 73 on Friday to finish three over par. LPGA rookie Mimi Rhodes, who had been in contention after an opening 69, also failed to make the cut after a difficult finish that saw her drop four shots over her final five holes, ending with a six‑over 78. Other English contenders include Charlie Hull and Lottie Woad, who have made the cut with scores of two‑under and one‑over respectively after rounds of 70 and 72 on Friday.
Their presence adds further intrigue to the final round, as fans watch to see if any of them can mount a challenge. The third round of the Chevron Championship is scheduled to begin on Saturday at 7 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf, with live streaming options available for those without a traditional contract.
Golf enthusiasts can also follow the action via the Sky Sports Golf Podcast and other streaming platforms. For those interested in experiencing the game firsthand, the UK and Ireland offer access to over 1,700 courses, with easy online booking tools to find the best rates and availability. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a curious newcomer, the opportunity to play on world‑class courses is just a few clicks away. In summary, Nelly Korda’s extraordinary 36‑hole performance has placed her in a commanding position heading into the final day of the Chevron Championship.
Her record‑setting score, combined with a solid mental approach and a historically large lead, makes her the clear favorite to capture her third major title. The remaining competitors will need to produce exceptional play to overcome the six‑stroke gap, but as any major‑championship story shows, golf can be unpredictable, and the final round always holds the potential for dramatic swings. The stage is set for an exciting conclusion to a tournament that has already produced historic moments and memorable performances.