Nelly Korda goes bogey-free for 67
and shares the lead at LPGA in Mexico
[May 02, 2026]
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico (AP) — Nelly Korda kept out of trouble and
played bogey-free Friday for a 5-under 67, giving her a share of the
lead with Brianna Do in Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba in the LPGA
Tour's only tournament in Mexico.
Korda only took advantage on two of the four par 5s at El Camaleon,
and she had to scramble on the par-5 18th coming out of the right
rough. But she had the right touch on a gap wedge from just over 50
yards to 4 feet to close out her round with a birdie.
That allowed her to catch Do, who had a fairway metal for her second
shot into the par-4 ninth and finished with a bogey for a 69.
They were at 9-under 135,having faced a stronger wind than the
morning wave from the day before on the course along the coast of
the Caribbean Sea.
“Drive it straight, hit it close and make putts,” Korda said of the
key to playing El Camaleon, the rest course that previously hosted
PGA Tour and LIV Golf events.
Melanie Green, who shared the 18-hole lead with Do, had a slow start
until making three birdies over her last six holes for a 70. She was
one shot behind.
Minami Katsu of Japan had a 69 and was two shots behind.
Korda hit only seven of the 14 fairways, though she was rarely out
of position and at times went with a fairway metal off the tee to
avoid the bunkers. But she putted for her birdie on all but two
holes and was steady over a few 4-foot par putts.
She also had a big following, only partially related to being the
No. 1 player in women's golf with her wire-to-wire victory last week
in The Chevron Championship for her second win this year, and her
third career major.
She was playing alongside Gaby Lopez of Mexico, who shot 71 and was
four shots behind.
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Nelly Korda watches her tee shot on the 12th hole during the third
round of the Chevron Championship LPGA golf tournament Saturday,
April 25, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
“Playing with Gaby the crowds have been amazing to
see the local support for her, ” Korda said. “And not complaining
about where I am on the leaderboard. Playing some solid golf and
playing in front of fun crowds, hometown crowds for Gaby is fun to
see. Hopefully I can continue playing well, good golf going into the
weekend.”
Do, the 36-year-old American, managed her 69 without making birdie
on the par 5s. But her iron game gave her plenty of good looks for
birdie, and she converted four of them.
She tied for ninth at the Riviera Maya Open a year ago, her only top
10 on the LPGA Tour.
“I put myself in that position last year here and so I think I’m
going to be a little more prepared for it this year,” Do said. “I
don’t think you’re ever very comfortable being in contention and
leading, and so I’m going accept it and kind of just play within
myself and feel the feels and kind of see what happens — just accept
what happens.”
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