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 world No. 2, who captured the Chevron title two years earlier, posted a cumulative 14‑under‑par total after delivering back‑to‑back rounds of 65, a score no other competitor could match over the first two days, with the next best being 67.
Korda’s flawless play continued on the closing holes of the second round, where she birdied the final two shots to further distance herself from the field. Remarkably, she recorded only a single bogey across her opening 36 holes at Memorial Park in Houston, underscoring the consistency that has defined her recent form. This performance not only set a personal best for Korda in a major over the first two rounds, but it also ranks as the third‑lowest 36‑hole total in LPGA major history.
Only Jeongeun Lee6 (127), Brooke Henderson (128) and In‑Gee Chun (129) have posted lower scores, all of which were achieved at the Evian Championship—the tournament that the LPGA elevated to major status in 2013. The six‑stroke cushion Korda now enjoys is tied for the largest 36‑hole lead at an LPGA major since 1980, matching the margins recorded by Patty Sheehan in 1990 and In‑Gee Chun in 2022. When asked about her mindset, Korda emphasized her comfort with her own game and highlighted the mental resilience that allows her to recover quickly from mistakes. “I’m comfortable with my game,” she said.
“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.” The current leaderboard shows Korda holding a six‑stroke lead over Patty Tavatanakit, who sits alone in second place at eight‑under‑par. A trio of players—Ina Yoon, Ryan O’Toole and amateur Farah O’Keefe—share third place, each a shot further back. World No.
1 Jeeno Thitikul suffered a surprising early exit, missing the cut after rounds of 74 and 73 left her three over par. Similarly, LPGA rookie Mimi Rhodes, who was in contention after a promising opening 69, fell out of the tournament after a difficult finish that saw her drop four strokes over her final five holes, finishing at six over par. Among the English contingent, Charlie Hull and Lottie Woad have both made the cut, standing at two under and one over respectively after Friday’s rounds of 70 and 72. The competition now shifts to Saturday’s third round, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf beginning at 7 p.m.
Viewers can also stream the event without a contract through various online platforms. The Chevron Championship, one of the LPGA’s most prestigious events, has a rich history of showcasing emerging talent and seasoned champions alike. Korda’s performance this week adds her name to a distinguished list of record‑setting players and sets the stage for a dramatic finale. If she maintains her current pace, a third major title appears well within reach, further cementing her status among the sport’s elite.
For golf enthusiasts looking to follow the action, additional coverage includes the Sky Sports Golf Podcast, live streaming options, and a comprehensive schedule of upcoming tournaments. Golf fans can also explore booking opportunities at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, with an easy search tool that allows users to find courses by location, city or postal code. This weekend promises high‑stakes drama, and all eyes will be on Korda as she strives to convert her record‑breaking start into a championship victory.