"Scottie Scheffler ended up winning"- Nelly Korda holds onto hope of Paris Olympics gold despite sitting five back of the leader
Nelly Korda is drawing inspiration from compatriot Scottie Scheffler, who recently won gold in the men's golf event at the Paris Olympics. The LPGA Tour player is competing in this week’s women’s golf event at the Olympics, and after three rounds, she finds herself tied for seventh place at 4-under par. Korda will head into the final round five strokes behind the third-round leaders Morgane Metraux and Lydia Ko.
Despite the challenge ahead, Korda remains optimistic and believes in her ability to make a comeback. Following the third round, she spoke to the media about the tournament and expressed her confidence that she would bounce back in the final round.
She is inspired by Scottie Scheffler, who was four strokes behind the leader after the third round but had an incredible final day, shooting a 62 to win the gold medal in the men’s event. Speaking about her game, Korda said (via Golf Monthly):
"We'll see how it goes. I'm giving myself a chance. As of right now, I think I'm four back, so anything can happen. Scottie was nine back, or whatever he was at, and he ended up winning."
Notably, Nelly Korda won the gold medal for the USA at the Tokyo Olympics and now has her eyes set on winning a second Olympic medal. Korda has had an impressive season on the LPGA Tour in 2024, winning six tournaments, including one Major. Interestingly, Scottie Scheffler has also won six tournaments this season, including one Major, before his victory at the Paris Olympics.
The final round of the 2024 Paris Olympics women’s event will take place on Saturday, August 10.
A look at Nelly Korda's performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Nelly Korda had a decent start at the women’s event of the 2024 Paris Olympics. She teed off on the first hole with a bogey, struggling at the beginning with three bogeys on the first seven holes of the opening round before finally adding a birdie on the ninth. Korda went on to make two more birdies in the first round and finished with a score of 72.
In the second round, Nelly Korda had an impressive start, making four birdies on the front nine. She continued with three birdies, one double bogey, and a bogey on the back nine, finishing with a score of 70.
Korda shot another round of 70 on Friday, carding five birdies and three bogeys. She is tied for seventh place alongside Janet Xiyu Lin, Celine Boutier, and Ruoning Yin.
Meanwhile, Morgane Metraux, who took the lead after the second round, extended her lead after the third round on Friday. She shot 71 to finish at 9-under par, tied with Lydia Ko. Interestingly, Ko, who has won two Olympic medals in her career, is aiming for a third. She won silver at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and bronze at the Tokyo Olympics.