Nelly Korda fired a strong second round to reach 14 under par after 36 holes at the Chevron Championship, opening a seven-shot lead in the LPGA's first major. Amateur Farah O’Keefe sits tied for second at seven under, drawing inspiration from Rory McIlroy's Masters comeback. Stacy Lewis marked an emotional farewell with her father caddying her final hole.
HOUSTON — Nelly Korda carded an opening-round 65 at Memorial Park on Thursday, then added birdies on holes 1, 3, 9, 11, 12, 14, 17 and 18 Friday around a bogey at six, reaching 14 under. Her score marks the lowest 36-hole total in her major career and the largest lead after two rounds in Chevron history. Korda credited a mindset shift after a winless 2025, saying, “If I get into trouble, I’ll figure it out,” along with putting tweaks under new coach David Angelotti, reverting to a conventional grip from left-hand low. The course's length after Tuesday's rain favors her power, especially on par-5s where she stands seven under through 36 holes. She played conservatively on the 15th, avoiding a risky pin to stay in control, noting, “It’s also maturing.” Farah O’Keefe, a University of Texas junior and the first amateur to open Chevron with consecutive 60s rounds (68-69), trails at seven under alongside Ryann O’Toole. The seven-shot deficit did not faze her; she invoked McIlroy's Masters lead evaporation two weeks ago, where he won despite a shaky weekend. “Golf is a staring contest and all you have to do is not blink first,” O’Keefe said, embracing nerves: “If you’re not nervous, then you’re not supposed to be there.” Her hot putter and short game have yielded just one bogey. Stacy Lewis, 41 and four months pregnant, missed the cut in what she expects to be her final full-time LPGA start. On the 18th, her husband handed the bag to her father Dale, who caddied her early career. Lewis tapped in a par putt, reflecting on her 2011 Chevron win, scoliosis surgery as a teen and World No. 1 stint. “I’m ready for the next chapter,” she said, grateful for opportunities.
