Nelly Korda shot back-to-back 65s at The Chevron Championship, setting a historic 36-hole major mark and opening a seven-shot lead.
Nelly Korda is turning The Chevron Championship into a statement week.
The Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings No. 2 fired her second straight 7-under 65 on Friday at Memorial Park Golf Course, moving to 14-under through 36 holes and building a seven-shot lead after the morning wave in Houston.
It’s the lowest 36-hole total in LPGA major history, excluding The Amundi Evian Championship.
Korda, who won The Chevron Championship in 2024, started Friday with a two-shot advantage and wasted little time stretching it.
She birdied the par-5 first and par-5 third, dropped a shot at No. 6, then answered with a birdie on the par-3 ninth to turn at 9-under overall.
The back nine is where she really separated. Korda birdied the par-3 11th, rolled in another birdie at No. 12 and added one more at 14.
Then she finished with birdies on 17 and 18 to slam the door on the field heading into the weekend.
“Overall, really happy with today,” Korda said, noting that she hit the ball well and capitalized on quality shots.
The two-time major champion arrived in excellent form. Before The Chevron, Korda had finished no worse than tied for second in four 2026 starts, including a win at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
Her approach this week has been smart as much as aggressive.
Korda said she and caddie Jason McDede have focused on picking the right targets, avoiding unnecessary risks and missing in the correct spots when pins are tucked.
READ MORE: Smalley, Springer Fire 58 at Zurich Classic
That patience has made her even more dangerous.
Korda has won before after holding a 36-hole lead, including the 2021 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the 2024 LPGA Drive On Championship. With two rounds left in Texas, she looks calm, confident and firmly in control.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community for FREE! Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable App to stay even more connected!