Nelly Korda Cruises to a Three-Stroke Lead at the LPGA Riviera Maya Open – Another Sensational Round!
Folks, buckle up: Nelly Korda, the current world No. 1, just casually built a three-stroke lead at the LPGA Riviera Maya Open! With another bogey-free round of 67 on Saturday, she showed everyone who's in charge here.
After her triumph at the Chevron Championship last week? No signs of fatigue! This woman is a machine. Since her only bogey in the opening round at Mexico's El Camaleon Golf Course, Korda has conquered an incredible 43 holes without a bogey. The 27-year-old American barely found herself in trouble during her third round. It was a display of composure – crowned by a tap-in eagle on the final hole, which secured her a truly comfortable lead heading into the final day. That's how it's done!
Her score: a stunning 14-under, 202 strokes total. Lurking behind are Thailand's Arpichaya Yubol at 11-under and Japan's Minami Katsu, who is just one shot further back. There's still plenty of excitement left!
Korda in Work Mode: "No Vacation Here!"
Korda herself admitted that her energy reserves after last week's Major win are "not at 100 percent." But seriously, golfers: This is Korda! She emphasized that she's in Playa del Carmen "to work, not to vacation." A clear declaration! "'Staying mentally engaged, that was the most important thing this week,' said the world No. 1. And we say: Mission accomplished!
Incidentally, Korda started the day alongside her compatriot Brianna Do, both at 9-under 136. Do is still chasing her first LPGA Tour title – we're keeping our fingers crossed for her future! Korda played a relaxed, low-risk front nine. Eight pars, interrupted only by a birdie on the par-5 fifth hole. The ball was flying like clockwork. She managed a magnificent save on the ninth with a long, curling putt. This allowed her to defend her solo lead against Arpichaya and China's Liu Yu.
The Chasers Don't Give Up – But Korda Turns Up the Heat
But then, golfers, the three-time Major winner Korda really stepped on the gas on the closing holes. On the par-5 13th, her long eagle attempt narrowly missed its target – a birdie, nonetheless! And a dart-like shot onto the green of the par-3 14th meant another tap-in birdie. This woman leaves no room for doubt! A perfect drive, followed by an aggressive iron shot on the par-5 18th, a prime scoring hole. And then? A tap-in eagle to finish the round. What a show! Her only 'mistake' of the day: she needed two tries to retrieve the ball from the hole – and laughed at her own little mishap on the final green. Endearing!
Arpichaya Yubol delivered a truly strong performance! She turned in the best round of the day, a bogey-free 66, and finished with two consecutive birdies. This keeps her within three strokes of Korda – impressive! Minami
