Nelly Korda crashes out of Women’s PGA Championship after career-worst 81

Sarah Schmelzel and Amy Yang claimed the halfway lead as the world no. 1 made a shock exit

Pa Sport Staff
Saturday 22 June 2024 01:20 EDT
Nelly Korda had been the favourite for victory at the Women’s PGA Championship
Nelly Korda had been the favourite for victory at the Women’s PGA Championship (PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sarah Schmelzel and Amy Yang grabbed the halfway lead in the Women’s PGA Championship as world number one Nelly Korda collapsed to a second round 81.

Korda, who opened with an 80 in the US Open two weeks ago after six wins in her previous seven starts, missed the cut after starting the tournament tied for second.

She opened her second round with four straight bogeys and had to wait until the 18th for her only birdie of the day to miss the cut by a stroke at the Sahalee Country Club in Washington state.

“No words for how I’m playing right now,” said Korda. “I’m just going to go home and try to reset.

“A lot went my way at the beginning part of the year, and just giving it back.”

Nelly Korda had been in outstanding form
Nelly Korda had been in outstanding form (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

American Schmelzel carded six birdies in a five-under-par 67 to top the leaderboard alongside South Korea’s Yang, who had a bogey-free 68.

Schmelzel, without a win in six years on the LPGA Tour, said: “I kind of caught a glimpse of leaderboard on 17 and saw I was right around the lead.

“It was just nice to be able to finish that well, too, knowing I was around the lead in a major.

Overnight leader Lexi Thompson recovered from an early double bogey, making three birdies coming home in a 72 which leaves her two strokes back alongside Korea’s Jin Young Ko and Hinako Shibuno from Japan.

Lexi Thompson remains in the mix at Sahalee Country Club
Lexi Thompson remains in the mix at Sahalee Country Club (AP)

Ireland’s Leona Maguire carded a 71 to sit in a group three strokes off the lead with England’s Charley Hull a further two shots back after a 73.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in