On the 16th tee at Hazeltine National during the opening round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, Nelly Korda faced a moment that has long tested even the best players in golf history. The par-4 16th, a 378-yard hole hugging Hazeltine Lake, features a narrow fairway flanked by water hazards on both sides. It’s a hole that played a decisive role during the 2016 Ryder Cup, where its placement ensured drama and challenge.
Korda entered the hole riding a wave of momentum, having birdied three times over five holes and establishing herself in the tournament’s early mix. But under the weight of pressure to become only the third LPGA player to win the first three majors of the season, she faced a strategic choice on this tight hole. Opting for driver over a safer 3-wood, she aimed to avoid the trees blocking a longer approach shot.
What followed was a misfired tee shot that hooked sharply left into the creek guarding the hole’s left side. "I just overturned it," Korda said, reflecting on the swing. "It’s a pretty intimidating tee shot and I just didn’t really like the way I hit it off the start." The wind coming off the right added complexity, and Korda admitted she swung too fast, caught between clubs.
The result was a double bogey after she dropped, chipped on, and then three-putted from 35 feet. It was her only double of the day and interrupted what had been a near-flawless round. Despite the setback, she still posted a two-under 70, keeping her in the top 10 of Thursday’s morning wave, though seven shots behind early leader Ina Yoon, who shot a sizzling 63.
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The stakes go beyond just the leaderboard. Korda’s pursuit of three consecutive major wins this season carries historic significance and would fast-track her into the LPGA Hall of Fame at age 27. The 16th hole’s narrow margin for error and strategic complexity perfectly encapsulate the razor-thin line between glory and disappointment at this level.
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Hazeltine’s 16th demands a critical decision on club selection that directly affects scoring opportunities. Choosing driver risks the creek but sets up a more manageable approach to a notoriously undulating green guarded by water. Playing it safe with a 3-wood leaves a longer, tree-blocked approach shot that can lead to bigger numbers. Korda’s choice reflects the aggressive mindset needed to contend for majors but also exposes players to costly errors.
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Many casual fans might see Korda's double bogey as just one bad swing in a round. However, the 16th’s history as a Ryder Cup pivot hole and its design as a strategic bottleneck mean this moment is a microcosm of tournament golf’s brutal demands. The tee shot’s margin for error is razor-thin—wind direction, club choice, and swing tempo all converge here.
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Korda’s second round will test how she bounces back from this moment. The pressure to maintain her historic run remains intense, and how she manages the mental side of this double bogey could define her week. Starting her second round at 2:42 p.m. ET on Friday, with a large fan following, she must recalibrate quickly to stay in contention.
This moment at the 16th underscores that in major championship golf, one hole can shape the narrative of an entire tournament. For Korda, the question is whether this setback will be a footnote or a defining turning point in her chase for history. For a broader view, explore our coverage of LPGA Tour news and results.
Source: All The Golf reported
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