Choi and Katsu Lead the Annika, Nelly Korda Trails by Two

Nelly Korda opened The Annika with a bogey-free 7-under 63 on Thursday at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, returning from a break to trail co-leaders Minami Katsu and Hye-Jin Choi by two shots.

Choi and Katsu both carded 9-under 61s during a day of low scoring on the Gulf Coast. Choi hit 17 greens in regulation and avoided major miscues on the Florida grass, which can occasionally trouble her around the greens.

“I didn’t really have like make big mistakes,” Choi said, according to the Associated Press. “I finished really well and I’m really satisfied about making bogey-free round.”

Video: LPGA

Katsu played in the afternoon wave, stringing together three consecutive birdies late in her round to tie for the lead. Lindy Duncan sat alone in third place after recording a hole-in-one using a 6-iron on the 160-yard third hole.

Sharing the lead, South Korean competitor Hye-Jin Choi strung together four consecutive birdies on the back nine before notching another at the 18th hole. Katsu hit a perfect 14 of 14 fairways during her opening round while successfully scrambling every time she missed a green in regulation.

Choi and Katsu Lead the Annika, Nelly Korda Trails by Two — Photo: whio.com

Both Choi and Katsu entered the week seeking their first victory on the LPGA Tour. While they hold high positions in the world rankings, Katsu has secured all of her professional wins in Japan, and Choi has collected hers on the LPGA of Korea Tour.

“I still have three rounds to play so I’m going to just keep on doing my work,” Choi said.

Korda arrived in Belleair following a two-month absence that included a vacation in Greece following the Solheim Cup in the Netherlands. The world’s top-ranked player admitted she needed time to step away after a demanding campaign that featured four wins and two major championships.

Nelly Korda Shoots 63 at The Annika Hall of Fame Challenge at Pelican Golf Club — USN

I needed to take that break, and right after Solheim I was burned out. I just needed to mentally step away for a few days.

Nelly Korda, via Associated Press

The physical toll of playing a schedule approaching 30 events makes a full schedule unrealistic for Korda, who already secured the Rolex Player of the Year award. Playing alongside Choi in the opening round, Korda posted seven birdies without a bogey to sit fourth.

It was nice to kind of feel those juices flowing again, especially playing with Hye-Jin who just had a great round today.

Nelly Korda, via Associated Press

Korda typically skips the Asia swing at the beginning and end of the year before gearing up for the final two LPGA events in Florida. Her last victory came at the U.S. Women’s Open in early June at Riviera, though she owns the tour’s lowest scoring average this season at 69.38.

A victory this week at Pelican Golf Club—where Korda has won three times previously—would officially secure her place among the game’s legends. While she leads the Race to CME Globe standings, next week’s Tour Championship offers any of the 60 players in the field a shot at the season title and a $2 million prize.

Korda dismissed speculation about reaching the milestone this week, emphasizing her immediate competitive focus.

I want to do the best that I possibly can where I currently am.

Nelly Korda, via Associated Press

Among a group of four golfers who shot 66 was Spanish Solheim Cup participant Julia Lopez Ramirez, whereas three additional members of Europe’s victorious squad—Carlota Ciganda, Leona Maguire, and Lottie Woad—each posted scores of 65.

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