Before we overanalyze the difference between Nelly Korda’s game during Friday’s opening round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer and where her game was in the second round, let’s consider all the variables.
Korda had four birdies and four bogeys en route to an even-par 71 on Friday, and followed with a sparkling 66 on Saturday.
But when asked what was better, the world’s best player had a pretty easy answer.
“The weather was better,” Korda said. “Wasn’t as windy. We were playing in pretty gusty conditions yesterday and with the greens being kind of smaller already, it’s tough to kind of judge your starting target with everything. Just makes it a little bit more difficult.”
“When the wind is down, you can be a little bit more aggressive.”
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Korda was just that, posting three birdies on both the front and back to go with a single bogey on the par-4 12th hole at Seaview’s Bay Course in Galloway, New Jersey.
At 5 under for the three-day event, she’s six strokes behind leader Ilhee Lee, but trending in the right direction.
And after not taking part in this event for a few years, Korda is enjoying the crowds that come with the New York City-area event.
“It’s nice to see everyone come out and support. It’s my favorite of part of what I do is kind of inspiring the next generation, seeing all the little girls and boys come out and support, not just me, but all of us out here,” she said. “Definitely seen a trend in a really great direction even just with the fans that have been coming out.
“It’s great to see and great to play in front of as well.”