Nelly Korda displayed remarkable resilience at the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open, turning her fortunes around following a challenging start. The World No. 1 golfer benefited from a swing tip given by her sister, Jessica Korda, who is an accomplished player with six LPGA Tour victories and a history of strong performances at the U.S. Open.
Nelly Korda’s Journey at the U.S. Women’s Open
Despite high expectations after winning the Chevron Championship earlier in the year, Korda faced difficulties in her first round. The tournament, held at the challenging Riviera course, proved to be tough for the elite golfer. On the first day, she carded a two-over 73, making four bogeys and just two birdies. This performance raised concerns about her ability to make the cut.
Swing Adjustment with Sister’s Help
In search of improvement, Korda sought advice from Jessica after her lackluster opening round. The key tip involved adjusting her grip. “Actually, a big shout out to my sister because she helped me. I just tried to strengthen my grip a little bit,” Nelly said. The adjustment aimed to address her problem of “laying it off at the top,” which was leading to inconsistent strikes and drives going off course.
Round Two Transformation
The swing fix came through a practice session on the range the evening before her second round. Korda, although feeling uncomfortable with the new grip, decided to trust the advice and implement it during her game. The results were impressive.
- Nelly closed Round 2 with five birdies.
- She recorded only one bogey, finishing the day at four-under 67.
- Interestingly, she even switched golf shoes mid-round without affecting her performance.
As Korda continues her journey in the tournament, her newfound approach may lead to her elevating her game further. It seems likely that she will consider seeking out more guidance from her sister in the future as she pushes for her first U.S. Women’s Open title.
