Nelly Korda showcased her resilience and skill on the course as she posted a 3-under 69 in the T-Mobile Match Play event, bringing her three-day total to 1-under par. This strong performance has positioned her well for a potential fourth consecutive LPGA Tour victory.
After finishing her round, Korda found herself tied for fifth place with Narin An, with both players advancing to the match play stage on Saturday as part of the top eight qualifiers. The cut line was set at 2 over par as Korda completed her round at Shadow Creek Golf Course.
Korda's journey to this point was marked by a notable improvement, especially considering her initial rounds of 73. The challenging weather conditions, particularly the high winds on Thursday afternoon, played a significant role in leveling the playing field. Korda's morning tee time on that day proved advantageous, as no player with an afternoon start managed to break par.
As the tournament progressed, the weather conditions worsened, with wind gusts reaching 30 mph and rain adding to the challenge. The temperature also dropped significantly, with a high of 59 degrees on Friday, marking a 19-degree decrease from the previous day.
With aspirations of making history, Korda aims to become the first player since Lorena Ochoa in 2008 to secure four consecutive victories. Her impressive performance included four birdies on the front nine, with three consecutive birdies before making the turn. However, she faced some challenges on the back nine, finishing at 1 over par.
This year's T-Mobile Match Play event adopted a new format, transitioning from a match-play-only setup to a combination of stroke play for the initial rounds and match play for the weekend. The quarterfinals are scheduled for Friday morning, followed by the semifinals in the afternoon.
As Korda continues her pursuit of another LPGA Tour triumph, golf enthusiasts eagerly await the exciting matchups and performances that the weekend's match play rounds will bring.
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