PHOENIX, Ariz. — World No. 2 Nelly Korda has seized the 36-hole lead at the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass, firing a career-best 7-under 65 on Friday to build a two-stroke advantage. This commanding performance comes just days after a narrow defeat at the Fortinet Founders Cup, signaling a swift and determined rebound from the American star.
Korda’s second round at the Wild Horse Pass Golf Club was a masterclass in precision and power. Navigating tougher afternoon conditions, she carded seven birdies against no bogeys, posting her lowest 36-hole score on the LPGA Tour. “I was just really solid today,” Korda said in post-round comments. “I gave myself a lot of looks and rolled in a few putts.”
The 27-year-old entered the week looking to bounce back from a Sunday where she applied intense pressure but ultimately fell short. At last week’s Fortinet Founders Cup at Sharon Heights, South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim held off a stirring charge from Korda to win by a single stroke in a wire-to-wire victory. Korda gained five strokes over a 10-hole stretch during the final round, showcasing the form that has netted her 16 LPGA Tour victories, including two majors and an Olympic gold medal.
This week also marks a significant family milestone. For the first time since 2023, Nelly is competing in the same LPGA Tour event as her older sister, Jessica Korda. The sisters, who have played nearly 100 tournaments together, were grouped during the first two rounds. “It’s always special playing with Jess,” Nelly remarked. “We push each other in the best way.”
Korda’s 2026 season has been a mix of high triumph and recent near-misses. She started the year with a victory at the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in January. After skipping the tour’s Asian swing, she returned to contention at the Founders Cup before her runner-up finish.
Her current stats underscore her all-around game. This season, she is averaging 275.57 yards in driving distance, hitting 65.31% of fairways, and finding 82.54% of greens in regulation. That consistent ball-striking was on full display Friday in Phoenix as she separated herself from a chasing pack that includes past champions like Hyo Joo Kim.
With 36 holes remaining, Korda is in prime position to capture her 17th LPGA Tour title and second of the 2026 season. The third round of the Ford Championship begins Saturday, March 28, as Korda aims to convert her lead into a wire-to-wire victory of her own.