A Shift in Perspective
For most of her career, World No. 2 Nelly Korda has relied on a consistent support system, keeping her grounded and focused. However, following a challenging 2025 season without a victory, Korda recognized that even a champion occasionally needs to recalibrate. Rather than overhauling her entire team, she decided to focus on an internal evolution.
Korda entered the current season with a clear intention: to alter her mental approach to elite-level golf. She emphasized that her biggest takeaway from previous seasons was the need to replace self-criticism with resilience. «I think this year I just wanted to have a different mindset change of if I get into trouble, I’ll figure it out,» Korda explained after her second round at the Chevron Championship. «I don’t want to have that mindset where I stress myself out. I want to be like, okay, I’ll figure it out and not stress myself out too much.»
Record-Breaking Performance at Memorial Park
This psychological shift has clearly paid off at the year’s first major. After opening with a 65, Korda continued to dominate the Tom Doak-designed course in Houston. Following a steady start, she surged on the back nine, stringing together a series of birdies to finish at 14 under par. Her seven-shot lead marks the largest 36-hole advantage in the history of the Chevron Championship.
Her ability to play with a newfound sense of ease has been crucial. As Korda noted, «I think there is a power in knowing it’s okay to make a mistake and just bounce back.»
Strategic Maturity and Course Management
Korda’s performance is also a result of smarter course management. While the rain-soaked conditions at Memorial Park favor her natural length, she has deliberately avoided high-risk plays. Instead of forcing birdie opportunities by attacking difficult pins, she has focused on playing away from danger and controlling her misses.
A prime example occurred on the par-3 15th hole, where, despite being in the middle of a hot streak, Korda opted for a conservative play to avoid a water hazard. «Sometimes, if I wanted to be aggressive, I would try to hit it ten feet right of that, but I think it’s also maturing,» she said.
Refining the Short Game
Another significant change involves her putting. Seeking to resolve a recurring obstacle in her performance, Korda consulted renowned putting coach Phil Kenyon late last year. Acting on his advice, she returned to a conventional putting style—a move that proved successful immediately.
Kenyon recommended she work with David Angelotti to provide more structure to her practice sessions. This collaboration has brought much-needed clarity to her game. «He’s finally someone that’s giving my putting practice a sense of structure,» Korda said. «I feel like there is no gray area. It’s black and white.»
With her putter in top form and a commanding lead, Korda enters the weekend as the clear favorite. While she acknowledges the challenges of the final 36 holes, she remains committed to the process that brought her to this position, aiming to carry her momentum through to the finish line.