Nelly Korda gets inspired by Scottie Scheffler’s final rally to stay in contention heading into Round 4

Nelly Korda faced an unexpected challenge during the second round of the 2024 Paris Olympics. After a solid start to her title defense, Korda’s performance on Thursday took a dramatic turn for the worse. The world No. 1 golfer, who was 6-under par through 15 holes, experienced a disastrous quadruple-bogey on the 16th hole that sent her tumbling down the leaderboard.

The tournament, held at the prestigious Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, had seen Nelly Korda in prime position to challenge for another gold, but her second round left her in need of a significant comeback to remain in contention.

Nelly Korda’s recent form had been promising, giving fans and analysts alike confidence in her ability to perform under the intense pressure of the Olympics. Coming into the Paris games, Korda had shown consistent form on the LPGA Tour, securing top finishes and maintaining her position as the world’s top-ranked female golfer.

But golf is a sport of fine margins, and as Korda learned herself, one bad hole can drastically change the course of a tournament. That was the 16th hole on Thursday for Korda, as she arrived at 6 under and left at 2 under.

Yet Nelly Korda didn’t become the world number one by complaining. As she told the press after the round, she finds inspiration in her colleague Scottie Scheffler:

“I still have 36 more holes and anything can happen. I’m trying to see the positive in this. You know, Scottie came back, shot 9 under, and he won,” Korda said.

Nelly Korda’s acknowledgment of Scheffler’s success highlights her resilience and determination to remain focused despite the setbacks. The two remaining rounds will test her mental and physical fortitude as she seeks to climb back into contention.

Whether inspired by Scottie Scheffler or destined to transcend Olympic golf, the truth is that Nelly Korda bounced back from a poor second round to shoot a 4-under-par third round. With this performance, she remains tied for seventh place, four shots behind leader Lydia Ko.

Nelly Korda’s Struggles in Round 2: A Deeper Dive

The stakes were high for Nelly Korda as she attempted to become the first woman to defend her Olympic golf title successfully. Her first round, an even-par 72, showed her potential, but it was her second round that would set the tone for the remainder of her Olympic campaign.

The day began on a high note, with Nelly Korda executing a bogey-free front nine that included four birdies. Her form seemed unbeatable as she climbed the leaderboard, putting herself in a prime position to challenge for the top spot.

Nelly Korda’s second round at the Paris Olympics was a tale of two halves. After an impressive front nine, her back nine unraveled in a manner that left both fans and commentators in shock. The turning point came at the 16th hole, a 150-yard par-3, where Korda’s tee shot found the water hazard in front of the green.

What followed was a series of missteps that culminated in a quadruple-bogey 7, significantly hampering her chances of staying near the top of the leaderboard.

Reflecting on the disastrous hole, Korda shared her thoughts in a post-round interview:

“I played 16 holes of really, really solid golf. I was 6 under to that point and I just hit my shot a little out right and a little heely. I was a little hesitant being in between clubs,” she explained.

The hesitation led to a series of mistakes, starting with the decision to use a “chippy” 9-iron that ultimately didn’t reach the green. Korda’s third shot from the drop zone found a plugged lie in the bunker, leading to further complications.

The aftermath of the 16th hole clearly impacted Nelly Korda’s focus, as she went on to three-putt the 17th hole, adding another bogey to her scorecard. However, she managed to regain some composure on the final hole, finishing her round with a birdie on the 18th. Despite the late rally, Korda ended the day with a 2-under 70, leaving her tied for 12th place and six shots off the lead.

As the competition enters its final stages, all eyes will be on Nelly Korda to see how she responds to the adversity she faced in the second round. The next two days will be crucial for her as she seeks to defend her Olympic title and draw strength from the example set by Scottie Scheffler. For Korda, the Paris Olympics represent not just a chance to win another gold medal, but an opportunity to showcase her resilience in the face of unexpected challenges.