THE WOODLANDS, Texas — Nelly Korda’s defense of her Chevron Championship title got off to such a rough start that the world’s top-ranked golfer is in serious danger of missing the cut in the LPGA’s first major of the year.
Korda had a morning tee time during Thursday’s opening round at The Club at Carlton Woods—the kind she likes by the way. But her mood changed quickly when she bogeyed four consecutive holes early in the round en route to a five-over 77, 12 shots off the Day 1 lead and four off the early projected cutline.
“I just have to go work. I mean, I’m not hitting it well,” Korda said afterward. “That’s about it.”
It was not the start anyone imagined, and Korda appeared on the verge of tears as she answered a few questions. Asked what the biggest challenge was on the day, she said: “golf.”
It’s a feeling everyday golfers can understand, but one that’s especially difficult for Korda. Nothing seemed to be going right, and there were no signs of a day like this. She didn’t advance to the weekend at the T-Mobile Match Play Championship last month but she had a pair of top-10 finishes in five starts so far this season with nothing worse than a T-28 showing. The 77 was her worst score by four shots in 2025.
Last year coming into the Chevron, Korda had claimed four consecutive wins and was on her way to a seven-win season. That brought with it confidence but also expectations. She withstood the pressure and won her second major.
Thursday’s run of bogeys was uncharacteristic of Korda, who had just tied for 16th at the JM Eagle LA Championship. The only hole she birdied was the par-5 eighth.
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Korda devised a new gameplan for majors this year in that she’s playing the week before majors in hope of more consistent performances in the game’s biggest events. Last year, she missed the cut at two majors—the U.S. Women’s Open and the KMPG Women’s PGA Championship—after shooting an opening 80 and a second-round 81 at the respectively championships.
Trying to win for the first time in 2025, Korda used a new blade putter she put in her bag last week in Los Angeles, veering from the mallet she had been using since last August. Unfortunately for her, she needed 33 putts to get through the round. Golf Channel reported that after the round, Korda was on the practice green with a mallet back in her hands.
Her problems weren’t just around the greens but from tee to green too. She hit only eight of 14 fairways and 11 greens in regulation.
A 77 was the worst score Korda had shot in 2025 by four shots.
Katelyn Mulcahy
Asked if she tries to flush the round and move on, Korda said: “Try to. Go in and practice and see where it takes me.”
But first, Korda did exactly what she always does after a round, good or bad, signing autographs in the kids zone and taking pictures. She signed for at least 10 minutes and for everyone who wanted an autograph. For pictures, she smiled through the frustration.
She signed the pajamas of 2½-month old Texas twin girls, Scottie Jo (named after Scheffler) and Collins. Her parents, Trevor and Kendra Olson, who live nearby, said they’ll frame the pajamas and the plan is that their daughters will become golfers.
Nelly Korda put a new putter in her bag at last week’s tour stop.
Katelyn Mulcahy
“I think that’s awesome that she’s out here for more than just competing,” Trevor said. “She’s out here for all the young fans, especially the babies.”
But with more than 63 players shooting even par or better on Thursday, Korda has work to do if she’s going to be able to sign for fans over the weekend.
