ESPN Golf: Korda Swaps LeBron's Custom Nikes Mid-Round, Posts 73 in U.S. Women's Open Opener

Nelly Korda made headlines at the U.S. Women's Open's first round at Riviera Country Club — not for her scorecard alone, but for swapping out a pair of custom Nike shoes gifted by LeBron James after just six holes, finishing the day at 2-over 73.

The LeBron Shoes That Didn't Quite Fit

Before the tournament began, Korda received a custom pair of Nike golf shoes inspired by James' signature line, complete with his crown logo. She wore them for the opening holes Thursday but replaced them with a different Nike pair by the sixth hole.

"I felt like I had a little too much room," Korda explained. "Sometimes when I wear a different color, they're just made a little different. I just felt more comfortable in these."

Footwear as a Swing Tool

Korda has been deliberate about her shoe choices this season, switching to models with higher soles as part of a swing adjustment. "I'm trying to get closer to the ground with my chest," she said. "With that, I get a little steeper in my swing and hinge it a little faster." It's a reminder of how granular equipment decisions can be at the elite level.

A Rough Start for the Favorite

Despite entering the week as the clear favorite — backed by three LPGA Tour wins this season including a third major at the Chevron Championship — Korda sits six shots off the early lead. She described the round as completely out of character given her strong ball-striking in the days prior, and headed straight to the range afterward.

Strokeslab Take

The shoe swap may be a footnote, but Korda's SG data through the week will tell the real story — whether the mechanical ground-contact adjustments she's been making are holding up under major pressure, or if Riviera's demands exposed early cracks.