Nelly Korda Close to Record as Weather Disrupts Chevron Championship

The Chevron Championship saw a halt in its third round due to lightning, with Nelly Korda, aiming for a historic fifth consecutive LPGA Tour victory, just one stroke behind the leader. Play is set to resume early Sunday with hopes of completing the tournament on schedule.

Inclement weather, including dangerous lightning, forced the suspension of the third round at the Chevron Championship on Saturday, leaving the tournament’s outcome hanging in balance. The disruption came just before 3 p.m. at Carlton Woods, and after a wait of two-and-a-half hours with conditions not improving, officials postponed play for the day. The championship, marking the LPGA’s first major of the year, is scheduled to continue early Sunday morning.

Nelly Korda, who is on the brink of tying the LPGA Tour record with her fifth consecutive win, managed to score 3-under 41 over 11 holes before play was halted, positioning her at 10 under overall. She started the day just one shot behind the leader, having carded a 7-under 137 across the opening two rounds. Atthaya Thitikul held the narrow lead at 11 under after completing 12 holes on Saturday.

Korda, the top-ranked player and 2021 Women’s PGA Championship winner, is chasing her second major title. A victory here would place her alongside legends Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam as one of the few to win five consecutive LPGA events. Addressing the press, Korda highlighted the mental game required to manage the unusual schedule, emphasizing a positive outlook and the opportunities that the additional day of play presents.

Canadian golfer Brooke Henderson made significant strides, tying Korda for second place by scoring 8 under through 17 holes on Saturday. Reflecting on her performance, Henderson credited a crucial par save early in the round for maintaining her momentum, expressing excitement about her surge up the leaderboard.

Henderson, a seasoned player with 13 LPGA victories including two majors, praised her putting during this round, a complement to her typically strong ball-striking ability. She expressed hope to carry this form into the final rounds.

Meanwhile, Thitikul, a rising star from Thailand with two LPGA wins to her name, shared concerns about how the anticipated wet conditions might affect play on Sunday. Despite nursing a thumb injury earlier this season, she remains a formidable contender, speculating that the softened greens might ease putting but could complicate tee and fairway shots.

Jin Hee Im, who began the round tied with Thitikul, was positioned fourth at 9 under through 11 holes. The tournament’s outcome remains eagerly anticipated, with weather and skilled play promising a dramatic conclusion to this major event.