No.1 Korda charges into share of LPGA Mexico lead
Nelly Korda of the United States fired a five-under par 67 to grab a share of the 36-hole lead at the LPGA Riviera Maya Open (Sarah Stier) Top-ranked Nelly Korda, coming off her third major title, closed with a birdie to seize a share of the lead after Friday's second round of the LPGA Riviera Maya Open. The 27-year-old American fired a bogey-free five-under par 67 to stand on nine-under 135 after 36 holes at El Camaleon Golf Course in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. "It was a good day," Korda said.
"Drove it really well. Hit it to the right spots on the green and capitalized on some good shots. " She finished level with compatriot Brianna Do, who fired a 69 in quest of her first LPGA title, with American Melanie Green one stroke back on 136 after shooting 70 and Japan's Minami Katsu fourth on 137 after a 68.
Korda captured the Chevron Championship last week for her third career major and also won the LPGA season-opening Tournament of Champions. She finished second in her other three starts so far this year. Korda, who began the day two strokes behind co-leader Do, birdied the second, par-five fifth and par-three eighth, then birdied 14 and the par-five 18th to grab a share of the lead.
"Overall just a solid day," Korda said. "Didn't make any mistakes really. If I did, I bounced back really well.
" Do began on the back nine with back-to-back birdies then added birdies at the par-three 15th and par-four second before a closing bogey. "I started with two birdies on 10, 11, my first two holes, and that really got things going," Do said. "Kind of a lull in the middle on the back nine, but kept it together and shot three-under, so good round.