Nelly Korda Leads KPMG Women’s PGA Championship After 36 Holes

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Nelly Korda
Nelly Korda reacts to her birdie putt on the 8th hole during the second round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club on June 25, 2021 in Johns Creek, GA. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images)

Nelly Korda blitzed the Atlanta Athletic Club to the tune of 63 on Friday, and will enter the weekend at the 2021 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship with a one-shot lead.

Starting her second round on the back nine, the American star got off to a poor start with a bogey out of the gate but carded birdies on Nos. 11, 14, and 17 to turn in 34.

Korda, though, then really turned up the heat with a seven-birdie homeward nine, highlighted by five straight gains on Nos. 4-9 to set the halftime mark on 11 under.

“I don’t know, I guess I just blacked out out there,” said Korda. “Actually the one on 17, No. 8, was the highlight of my round. I pushed my drive out right, and I was near a root, so I wasn’t even sure if I could hit it.

“Thankfully I hit just the top of it. It’s so scary when you have those types of shots. To drain a long putt was nice, too.”

One back was overnight leader Lizette Salas, who shot a second straight round of 67 to reach 10-under par.

“Yeah, I’m definitely satisfied,” said Salas. “We came in with some goals, and we’re reaching them.

“I think overall my attitude has been pretty solid. It’s a major; it’s supposed to be tough. It’s supposed to test you in several different ways, and I think I’m handling it quite well, and back-to-back 67s, I’m not going to complain.

“I can go ahead and start analyzing my game and what could have happened, but at the same time I’ve done a lot of good things, and I think this is good momentum going into the weekend.”

Celine Boutier (64), Alena Sharp (68), and Cydney Clanton (67) were three back on 7 under.

Madelene Sagstrom, who shot 68, was solo sixth on 6 under, one ahead of Inbee Park (68), Esther Henseleit (68), and Charley Hull (71).

Danielle Kang (67) headlined a logjam of nine players tied for 10th-place on 4 under.


KPMG Women’s PGA Championship


Top-10 Leaders: First Round

Pos-Player-To Par (Rd 2)
1. Nelly Korda -11 (-9)
2. Lizette Salas -10 (-5)
3. Celine Boutier -7 (-8)
3. Alena Sharp -7 (-4)
3. Cydney Clanton -7 (-5)
6. Madelene Sagstrom -6 (-4)
7. Charley Hull -5 (-1)
7. Inbee Park -5 (-4)
7. Esther Henseleit -5 (-4)
10. Nine Players Tied -4

Full Leaderboard


Material from the LPGA Tour Communications was used to compile this report.


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