Hometown hero Nelly Korda took a two-shot lead in the second round of the LPGA Drive On Championship on Friday in Bradenton, Fla.
Korda birdied three of her final four holes at Bradenton Country Club to card a 4-under-par 67 and enter the weekend at 10-under 132, passing second-place So Mi Lee of South Korea (second-round 65).
Korda started her day on the back nine, overcoming an early bogey with birdies at Nos. 13, 15 and 17. Then, she shrugged off a bogey at No. 5 with a birdie at the par-5 sixth, and closed things out with birdies at the par-5 eighth and par-3 ninth holes.
“I just knew that I could probably take advantage of the two par-5s,” Korda said of her finish. “I knew I had two par-5s coming up, and if I had good drives, they’re both reachable.”
Korda did not win on the LPGA Tour in 2023. She’s in search of her first LPGA victory in 14 months.
“It’s been great to see the support,” the former World No. 1 said. “I haven’t played a tournament in Bradenton in a really, really long time. … It’s been cool to see the big crowds come out and support and the hometown feel.”