Buhai leads LPGA Tour event, Nelly Korda in pursuit
Nelly Korda had a tough time getting out of bed but didn’t show any signs of Solheim Cup fatigue in a bogey-free 67 in the LPGA Tour Championship event, sitting two behind leader Ashleigh Buhai.
Korda and Leona Maguire, who also had a five-under 67, are among 11 players who competed in the Solheim Cup last week and got right back to work at the TPC River’s Bend.
Buhai, a former Women’s British Open champion from South Africa, isn’t part of the Solheim Cup and had a few weeks to rest from an injury-plagued season.
She ran off eight birdies for her seven-under 65, giving her a one-shot lead over Jeeno Thitikul and Yan Liu.
“Just shows that rest is just as important,” Buhai said. “I know if I give myself five days to warm up, with my coach coming in, we did good work, and, yeah, it was nice to actually just see it pay off today.”
Korda at least had the afternoon for nap time after her early start. She went 3-1 in her matches last week in the Solheim Cup as the Americans defeated Europe for the first time in seven years.
“I’m looking forward to the stay-in-bed-all-day vibe today. It was definitely tough kind of waking up this morning, but I do love competing and I love being out here,” Korda said.
“Everyone that played last week is going to be tired. I’m just trying to take it one step at a time, know that my energy levels aren’t the greatest, but I’m still motivated.”
She found additional motivation not so much from her five birdies but keeping a clean card.
“There is just no greater feeling than minimised your mistakes, or making no mistakes,” Korda said. “Whenever you get to play a bogey-free round I feel like it motivates you, and hopefully I can take that energy into the next three days.”
Maguire only played two matches last week, having played all five matches her previous two appearances. She wasn’t pleased about being sat out, especially after she easily disposed of Ally Ewing (4 and 3) in singles.
But maybe there was one upside.
“Last couple of Solheims I’ve played five matches, been exhausted after the Solheim,” she said. “So nice to be a little bit fresher time around.”
Korda and Maguire were part of a large group at 67 that included Lydia Ko, who last played three weeks ago and had every reason to be floating on air.
Along with winning Olympic gold just over a month ago, she captured the Women’s British Open at St Andrews.
Steph Kyriacou (69) was the best of the Australian contingent in a tie for 26th. The 23-year-old’s three-under round included six birdies and three bogeys.
She is one ahead of compatriots Robyn Choi and Grace Kim, while defending champion Minji Lee opened with a 71.
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