Nelly Korda took the second-round lead at the AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews after shooting a second consecutive 68. Despite the strong winds at the Old Course, Korda was able to maintain her composure and move to eight under at the halfway stage, taking a three-shot lead over her playing partners Charley Hull and Lilia Vu.
Hull had led after the first round with a stunning five-under 67, but Korda’s four-under round in the second round allowed her to overtake Hull and build a significant lead. She went bogey-free in her second round, with four birdies, and has only dropped one shot in 36 holes. Korda credited part of her success to a putter switch made just before the tournament, which has worked well for her so far.
The custom-built Spider Tour X putter from TaylorMade, which Korda received on the eve of the tournament, has helped improve her performance on the greens. She made the change during her Pro-Am and has been pleased with the results, leading to her current position as the clubhouse leader in the final women’s Major of the year. Korda emphasized that sometimes a change is needed to spark improvement and the new putter has helped her game immensely.
Korda’s return to form at the Women’s Open is a significant improvement after a period of missed cuts and a T22 finish at the Olympics. Her previous impressive run of five tournament wins in a row and six in seven showed her potential, and she now seems to be regaining that form. Hull, on the other hand, struggled with her putting in the second round, missing three short putts that led to bogeys. However, she managed to recover with three birdies in her last five holes to remain in contention just three shots behind Korda.
Defending champion Lilia Vu also put up a strong performance with a two-under 70 in the second round, joining Hull in a tie for second place. As the tournament progresses into the weekend, Korda will look to maintain her lead and secure her first Major victory. With strong competition from Hull and Vu, the final rounds of the AIG Women’s Open promise to be an exciting battle on the historic grounds of St Andrews.
Overall, Korda’s strong showing in the first two rounds of the tournament, coupled with her successful putter switch, highlights the impact of equipment changes on player performance. The importance of consistency and adaptability in the face of challenging conditions at St Andrews has been evident in Korda’s bogey-free and steady rounds. As the Women’s Open unfolds, fans can expect a thrilling conclusion with top players vying for the prestigious title and major championship glory. Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter for the latest updates and insights from the tournament and the world of golf.
