Nelly Korda Draws Inspiration from Scottie Scheffler in Quest for Comeback Victory at the Olympics

 

SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France — As the Olympic golf competition progressed at Le Golf National, the world No. 1 and reigning women’s gold medalist, Nelly Korda, showcased an impressive display of skill and consistency. On Thursday’s second round, Korda found herself at 6 under par through 15 holes, putting her within striking distance of the lead and appearing poised to continue her quest for another Olympic victory.

 

However, what seemed to be a promising round took a sudden turn for the worse on the par-3 16th hole. Faced with a crucial shot, Korda opted for a “chippy” 9-iron, believing it to be the most suitable choice given the circumstances. Unfortunately, the decision did not pay off as anticipated. Korda described the shot as having come out “a little heely,” causing the ball to land short of the green and into a water hazard.

 

The sequence of misfortunes did not end there. Her third shot, taken from the drop zone, did little to improve her predicament. The shot left her with a challenging plugged lie in a bunker, which proved to be an additional obstacle. In an attempt to recover, Korda’s shot from the bunker was overly aggressive, sending the ball over the green. This series of errors culminated in a quadruple-bogey 7, a significant setback in her otherwise strong performance.

 

Reflecting on the situation, Korda acknowledged the impact of the mishap. “I played 16 holes of really, really solid golf,” she said. “I was 6 under to that point and just hit my shot a little out right and a little heely. I was a little hesitant being in between clubs.” Korda elaborated on the challenges she faced with her recovery shots, noting that the firm conditions of the bunkers contributed to her struggles. “I just hit a really poor wedge shot [from the drop zone] and I was plugged in the bunker. Those bunkers are really firm and when I tried to be a little aggressive with it, my ball just shot to the back of the green. Just a series of unfortunate events happened in a row.”

 

The impact of the 16th-hole debacle was compounded by a subsequent bogey on the par-4 17th hole, where Korda three-putted. As a result, she finished the round with a 2-under 70, leaving her tied for 12th place and six shots behind the leader.

 

Despite the setback, Korda remained optimistic and resolute. She drew inspiration from a recent example of resilience in Olympic golf, referencing Scottie Scheffler’s performance during the men’s competition. Scheffler, the world No. 1 in the men’s game, had also encountered difficulties during his round but managed a remarkable comeback. “I still have 36 more holes and anything can happen,” Korda remarked. “I’m trying to see the positive in this. You know, Scottie came back, shot 9 under and he won [the gold medal].”

 

Korda’s determination to remain positive and focused on the remaining rounds highlights her competitive spirit and belief in the possibility of a comeback. With two rounds still to play, she is prepared to leverage her experience and skills to overcome the challenges ahead and contend for a medal. The Olympic golf tournament continues to unfold with its dramatic twists, and Korda’s resolve could well lead to a thrilling conclusion in her pursuit of another gold.