Nelly Korda Storms Into U.S. Open Lead

Nelly Korda didn’t just climb back into the U.S. Women’s Open.

She kicked the door down with a Saturday finish that should terrify everyone chasing the trophy at Riviera.

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Korda, the world No. 1, fired her second straight 4-under 67 and closed with three consecutive birdies to grab a share of the 54-hole lead with Sei Young Kim at 6-under 207.

Now she’s one round away from adding a U.S. Women’s Open title to a season already highlighted by her Chevron Championship win in April.

That’s a serious Sunday problem for the field.

Korda started the tournament with a 73 and sat seven shots off the lead after Round 1. Since then, she’s looked like herself again.

She posted Friday’s low round, then backed it up by chipping in for birdie at No. 3, rolling in an 18-footer at No. 6 and putting on a clinic late.

She reached the par-5 17th in two and stuffed her approach at No. 18 to four feet.

“It's always amazing to be in this position,” Korda said. “That's what we work so hard for, to be in this spot. So whatever happens tomorrow happens, but I'm going to give it my all and see what the outcome is.”

Kim, a 13-time LPGA winner, stayed steady with a 68 and birdied No. 17 to keep pace.

“I tried to keep my patience and just waited for a chance,” Kim said. “When the chances came to me, I just made it.”

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Jennifer Kupcho and In Gee Chun sit one back at 5 under, while Ruoning Yin, Gaby Lopez and Nasa Hataoka are two behind.

Korda says the key Sunday is staying loose.

“I play my best golf when I'm happy, free Nelly,” she said.

That version may be hard to beat.

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