'Number 2' Koda Takes Lead "Overcoming Thrombosis and Entering Revival Mode"..."Two Eagles Bang Bang"

LPGA Tour Meijer Classic Day 3: 6-Under Par Storm Shots, Cupcho 2nd, Henderson 3rd 'Chase'

Nelly Korda is teeing off on the 12th hole on the third day of the Mayak Classic. Grand Rapids, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] World No. 2 Nelly Korda is in 'revival mode.'

On the 19th (Korean time), at the Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA (par 72, 6,638 yards), the third day of the LPGA Tour Meijer Classic (total prize money $2.5 million) ended with Korda shooting 6-under par to take the lead by one stroke (18-under par 198). This season's first major, Chevron Champion Jennifer Kupcho (both from the USA), is in second place (17-under par 199), and Brooke Henderson (Canada) is chasing in third place (15-under par 201).

Korda debuted on the LPGA Tour in 2017 and has reached a total of seven wins. Last year was a highlight. She swept four wins including one major, and also won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in August. She is also famous for her sports family. Her father, Petr, was the 1998 Australian Open tennis singles champion, and her mother, Regina, boasts a career reaching the round of 16 in the US Open tennis singles in 1989 and 1991. Her older sister Jessica is a six-time LPGA Tour champion.

It is interesting that Korda was diagnosed with thrombosis early this season. She successfully made a smooth return with a tie for 8th place at the US Women's Open earlier this month after four months away, and now appears to be making a full-scale push for victory. On this day, she especially energized the crowd by making two eagles on the 8th hole (par 5) and the 18th hole (par 5). Moreover, this tournament is a title defense for her. She has a special connection, having won by two strokes with a 5-under par final round last year.

Jennifer Kupcho is driving on the 12th hole on the third day of the Meijer Classic. Grand Rapids, USA=Getty Images/Multivitz

Yesterday's leader Kupcho faltered with a 3-under par round and dropped to second place. Following Henderson, Lexi Thompson (USA) is in fourth place (14-under par 202), and 'US Women's Open Champion' Minjee Lee (Australia) and Lydia Ko (New Zealand) are tied for fifth place (13-under par 203). From Korea, Choi Woon-jung (32, Volvik) surged to a tie for 18th place (9-under par 207) with a daily best 7-under par. Choi Na-yeon (35) is tied for 23rd (8-under par 208), and Choi Hye-jin (23) is tied for 28th (7-under par 209).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.