World number one and Olympic champion Nelly Korda held a share of the clubhouse lead at the British Women’s Open at Carnoustie yesterday after an opening-round 67.
The American carded eight birdies although three dropped shots left her tied on five-under with Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom who dropped a shot at the 18th. Korda is bidding to continue a sensational year having won the PGA Championship and Olympic gold, although she admitted after her round she was feeling a little jaded.
“Honestly we didn’t have much wind today. It was very chilly in the morning but other than that the wind kept calm and I took advantage of it,” Korda told Sky Sports.
“I am a little tired but I will still give it my all these next few days. I will go home next week and sleep in my bed for the first time in six weeks so that’ll be nice.” South Korea’s Kim Sei-young was also at five-under after 12 holes while Korda’s compatriot Andrea Lee, ranked 143rd in the world, was at four-under for her round after 16 holes. Last year’s winner Sophia Popov was struggling at two-over after 12 holes after a double-bogey at the 10th hole.
Reed withdraws from playoffs opener
Patrick Reed’s hopes of qualifying for this year’s US Ryder Cup team took a hit as the former Masters champion withdrew from the opening event of the FedExCup Playoffs in New Jersey before his early-morning tee time on Thursday. The decision marked the second consecutive week Reed has pulled out of a tournament before the opening round and leaves him with just the August 26-29 BMW Championship in Maryland to automatically qualify for the Ryder Cup.
No reason was given for Reed’s decision to withdraw from the Northern Trust in Jersey City but multiple media reports said he was dealing with an ankle injury. Reed is ninth in the US Ryder Cup standings. The top six golfers in the standings after the BMW Championship qualify for the American team that will face Europe in the Sept. 24-26 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.
The remaining six players on the team will be selected and announced by US Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker following the Sept. 2-5 Tour Championship. In his most recent start, Reed tied for 31st at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational in Memphis two weeks ago. Prior to that, he earned a share of 22nd place in the Tokyo Olympics men’s golf tournament where he was a late addition to the field after Bryson DeChambeau tested positive for Covid-19.