Five birdies and an eagle helped Nelly Korda to a 6-under par 66 in round two of the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give. The current Rolex Rankings No. 4 is 10-under par overall at Blythefield Country Club and in position for a weekend run at her fifth-career LPGA Tour title (and second this season).
Korda recorded her eagle at the par-5 8th, which was playing 465 yards. Her second-round 66 is just her fourth sub-70 performance going back to the first round of the HUGEL-Air Premia LA Open, where Korda ultimately finished in a tie for 10th.
“It’s a pretty tight fairway. I hit my drive well and had a 6-iron in. Hit a bit of a controlled, high 6-iron to like 25 feet and rolled it in the center,” said Korda, who hit 17 greens in regulations. “The greens were a lot softer today, so you could be more aggressive. Yesterday in the afternoon, they were really slow, but bouncy and firm. I could hit my numbers today and that eagle helped, as well.”
In the gallery this week following Korda is boyfriend Andreas Athanasiou, a center with the Los Angeles Kings. Athanasiou spent eight seasons in the Detroit Red Wings organization, including from 2014-2016 with their AHL affiliate the Grand Rapids Griffins.
“My parents aren’t out this week, so it is nice to have a familiar face in the crowd,” Korda said. “For the fans and little kids, it’s great to see them out again. I definitely missed the feeling of people cheering you on, and if you had a bad hole, they still cheer you on.
“I spent some time [when he was] in Detroit with him. He said that a couple people have recognized him and I’m like, “So, you are the superstar here this week.’”
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