Nelly Korda Wins Tense Olympic Gold Medal
Nelly Korda claimed Team USA's second gold medal in the golf as the 23-year-old secured a one-shot victory over Japan's Mone Inami and New Zealand's Lydia Ko.
Nelly Korda Wins Tense Olympic Gold Medal
Six days after fellow countryman Xander Schauffele's triumph at Kasumigaseki Country Club, Korda would make it a double for Team USA.
The 23-year-old has been in superb form of late, claiming three titles already this season, including her first Major at the Women's PGA Championship.
Starting the final round three shots clear of the field, she would birdie the opening hole to extend the lead to four, with her nearest challenger, Lydia Ko, making four consecutive birdies to cut the deficit.
With Ko putting pressure on the American, Korda would make a scrappy double bogey at the par-3 7th, needing three attempts to chip over a ledge, her advantage was soon wiped out.
The 23-year-old recovered brilliantly though, with three consecutive birdies at the 8th, 9th and 10th regaining a three shot advantage to Ko.
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As Korda manufactured her advantage, another challenger was soon emerging in the form of Japan's Mone Inami, with the home country favourite making four birdies on the bounce to move into a share of the lead.
Another birdie followed for the 22-year-old at the par-4 17th, with Inami still keeping in reach of her competitor.
Playing the 18th, the Japanese star would rue a costly bogey, setting the clubhouse target at 16-under-par.
With a one shot lead with only the last to play, Korda would need to wait a little longer for her gold medal, with a rain delay of around half an hour forcing the players off the course.
As the pair returned to the tough finishing hole, Korda would hold her nerve, securing the par she needed for Team USA's second gold medal in the golf.
In the battle for the silver and bronze medal places, Inami would defeat Ko in a playoff to secure the silver.
Ko, who finished in the silver medal position at the 2016 games, would miss her short par putt to claim the bronze medal.
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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