World No. 1 Nelly Korda Misses Cut at U.S. Women's Open

World No. 1 Nelly Korda Misses Cut at U.S. Women’s Open

The demise of World No. 1 Nelly Korda at the U.S. Women's Open was the second-most surprising thing to happen in the sport this year (just slightly behind Scottie Scheffler's arrest outside of Valhalla Country Club).

On her third hole of the tournament at Lancaster Country Club on Thursday, Korda carded a seven-over 10 on the par 3 12th en route to shooting a 10-over 80.

Korda, who tied an LPGA record with five consecutive wins earlier this season and has won six times on tour in 2024, won't be playing the weekend after carding a 70 on Friday to miss the cut by two shots. Korda's absence from contention in the U.S. Open is unexpected to say the least, with her missed cut even more shocking considering her dominant play all year long. Korda captured the first major of the year in April—the Chevron Championship—by two shots and entered the week at the U.S. Women's Open as the odds-on favorite to capture her seventh win of the season and second major of 2024.

Instead, Korda will be heading home, looking to regroup after one disastrous hole buried any hopes of contention this weekend.

Near the end of Friday's second round, American Andrea Lee and Thailand's Wichanee Meechai lead the U.S. Women's Open by two shots.

Nelly Korda Shoots Stunning 80 in Opening Round at U.S. Women's Open

Nelly Korda Shoots Stunning 80 in Opening Round at U.S. Women’s Open

Nelly Korda’s opening round at the U.S. Women’s Open was a shocking divergence from her stellar play to date in 2024.

The No. 1-ranked women’s golfer in the world who entered the tournament having won six of her last seven starts, including the year’s first major, shot 10-over-par 80 at Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club, matching her highest-ever score on the LPGA Tour.

Included was a score of 10 on the par-3 12th hole—her third of the day—where she found the water three times.

“Just a bad day in the office,’’ she said.

Korda, who won the Chevron Championship in April, had tied an LPGA record by winning five consecutive tournaments earlier this year before winning her last start two weeks ago.

“Not a lot of positive thoughts, honestly,’’ Korda said. “I just didn’t play well today. I didn’t hit it good. I found myself in the rough a lot. Making  a 10 on a par-3 will definitely not do you any good at a U.S. Open.’’

The 12th gave the entire field fits and was viewed in pre-tournament interviews as one that could be a problem for the field. When the U.S. Women’s Open was played at Lancaster in 2015, the results were similar, with 31 double bogeys for the week.

It didn’t help that when Korda’s group arrived on the tee, there was already a long wait with two other groups yet to play the hole. She said she was between clubs and used a 6-iron which flew into a back bunker.

From there, she played her second long and watched it roll into the water fronting the green. She then dropped on the other side of the water and hit two wedge shots short, both ending up wet. She hit her eighth shot onto the green and then two-putted for the 10, her highest-ever score on a hole.

“Just hit some really bad chips over and over again,’’ she said.

Korda ended up shooting 45 for her first nine holes and bogeyed the last hole, the ninth, to shoot 80.

“I just didn’t really want to shoot 80,’’ she said of her mindset when making the turn. “And I just kept making bogeys. My last two rounds in the U.S. Open Women’s Open have not been good. I ended Sunday (last year) at Pebble (Beach) I think shooting (80) ,and then today I shot 80.

“I’m human. I’m going to have bad days. I played some really solid golf up to this point. Today was just a bad day. That’s all I can say.’’

In addition to the seven-over 10, Korda had six bogeys and three birdies.

Korda was not alone in tough conditions. When she finished as part of the morning wave of players, she was one of seven players who shot in the 80s, including Lydia Ko who also shot 80.

Here Are All the Athletes Who Went to the Met Gala

Here Are All the Athletes Who Went to the Met Gala

Fashion's biggest night had some of the sports world's biggest stars in attendance on Monday night at the Met Gala.

Sports standouts ranging from the NFL to tennis to Formula 1 walked the carpet in their custom outfits all interpreting the theme "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" in different ways.

Tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams returned to the Met Gala. At last year's Met, Serena famously announced her second pregnancy with husband Alexis Ohanian during a carpet interview.

Take a look at all the athletes that went to the 2024 Met Gala.

Serena Williams

The 23-time Grand Slam champion wore a custom gold Balenciaga dress that many deemed a "going for gold" theme to commemorate her legendary tennis career.

Venus Williams

The five-time Wimbledon champion also wore a shining dress, but with hers more on the silver side. Her custom Marc Jacobs dress was reflective like a disco ball, but with a sheer first layer.

Lewis Hamilton

The Formula 1 driver, who's known for his fashion sense, wore a significant outfit on the carpet. His custom Burberry suit was made in honor of one of Britain's first Black gardners, John Ystumllyn. An excerpt from Alex Wharton's 'The Gardener' poem was embroidered into the inside of his suit jacket.

Angel Reese

The Chicago Sky rookie became the first WNBA rookie to walk the Met Gala carpet on Monday, and it was fitting that she flew from practice that morning to make it to the New York City event at night. It was also Reese's 22nd birthday as she walked in her 16Arlington by Marco Capaldo seafoam colored dress.

Ben Simmons

The Brooklyn Nets guard wowed fans with his Thom Browne suit. The black sparkly suit with a plaid design at the top wasn't complete without the briefcase with a giant clock on it. This piece fit more into the "Garden of Time" theme.

Nelly Korda

LPGA star Korda, who won five consecutive tournaments already this year, took a break ahead of this month's U.S. Women's Open to attend the Met Gala in an Oscar de la Renta gown. Her dress included red flowers with green leaves.

Stefon Diggs

The new Houston Texans running back attended his second consecutive Met Gala, this time wearing a custom dark blue H&M sparkly suit.

Odell Beckham Jr.

The new Miami Dolphins receiver wore an embroidered suit jacket with flowers and birds on it from Bode. His pants continued some of the design from the jacket as well.

Dwyane Wade

The retired NBA star walked the carpet with his wife, actress Gabrielle Union. Wade wore a lilac colored Versace suit completed with a plain white T-shirt and black shoes, while Union gave off mermaid vibes with her Michael Kors dress.