Nelly Korda’s Olympic Title Defense in Jeopardy After

Nelly Korda’s Olympic Title Defense in Jeopardy After Quadruple-Bogey Collapse: A Detailed Look at the Shockwaves of Le Golf National

GUYANCOURT – The defending Olympic golf champion Nelly Korda faced a dramatic setback on August 8 as her bid to retain her title took a nosedive following an astonishing quadruple-bogey on the 16th hole. The world No. 1, who had entered the second round with high hopes, saw her lead evaporate in a sequence of misfortunes that shook her title defense.

 

Korda’s disastrous 16th hole began with a wayward tee shot that plunked into the lake guarding the green. Her second attempt from the drop zone fared no better, landing her ball in a bunker. Despite a valiant effort to recover, she ended up three-putting from the back of the green, resulting in a staggering seven on the par-three hole. This significant blunder left her trailing by six strokes in a tie for 12th place, far from the podium she once seemed destined for.

 

Despite the setback, Korda remained resolute. “I still have 36 more holes and anything can happen,” she said. “I’m trying to see the positive in this. You know, Scottie (Scheffler) came back, shot nine-under and he won (gold in the men’s event).” This optimism is perhaps Korda’s strongest asset as she battles through a tough tournament after a season marred by inconsistent performances.

 

Korda’s early-season brilliance, which saw her clinch six LPGA Tour titles in seven events, has recently given way to a troubling pattern of missed cuts. Her performance at the US Women’s Open, where she infamously carded a 10 on a par-three hole, was a notable indicator of her recent struggles. With the Olympics now presenting a similar challenge, Korda’s quest to defend her gold medal has become increasingly arduous.

 

As Korda grapples with her performance, the spotlight has shifted to other competitors who are seizing their moment. Swiss golfer Morgane Metraux, ranked 137th in the world, delivered a remarkable performance in the second round. Metraux’s front-nine score of 28, including two eagles and four birdies, propelled her to a commanding position at the top of the leaderboard. She closed the day with a six-under 66, bringing her to an impressive eight-under 136 for the tournament.

 

Metraux’s strong showing, however, was not without its challenges. The latter part of her round saw her hit two shots into the water, including on the 18th hole. Nevertheless, she managed to limit the damage, ending the day with a score of 68, maintaining a slender lead over the field.

 

China’s Yin Ruoning, who is hot on Metraux’s heels, demonstrated impeccable form with a bogey-free 65. Yin’s impressive round places her just one stroke behind the leader, setting the stage for a thrilling final stretch.

 

New Zealander Lydia Ko, the only golfer to have secured multiple Olympic medals, is also a prominent figure in the competition. Ko, who won silver in Rio 2016 and bronze in Tokyo 2021, is making a strong push for another medal. Her second-round 67 moved her to five-under overall, positioning her in third place. Ko’s solid play was marred slightly by a bogey on the par-five 18th, but her consistent performance has kept her in contention.

 

French golfer Celine Boutier, who began the day as the overnight leader, faced a turbulent second round. Boutier, who had previously been in a strong position, fell back with a four-over 76. Her round was marked by double bogeys on the 13th and 16th holes and a bogey on the 14th, which derailed her chances of maintaining her lead.

 

Despite the disappointment, Boutier remained composed. “Emotionally it was fine,” she commented on whether the support from French fans had influenced her play. “Definitely feel like I left a few shots out there.”

 

The leaderboard remains tightly packed, with South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai, the Philippines’ Bianca Pagdanganan, Thai star Atthaya Thitikul, Japan’s Miyu Yamashita, and China’s Lin Xiyu all within striking distance, just five strokes off the lead. Slovenia’s Pia Babnik and Colombia’s Mariajo Uribe are also in contention, tied for fourth place, adding to the excitement of the tournament.

 

As the competition progresses, the battle for the Olympic gold medal is set to intensify. With Korda and other top contenders facing their own trials and triumphs, the remaining rounds promise a dramatic and unpredictable conclusion to the Olympic golf tournament.