GOLF.com: One costly swing on 16 can't derail Korda's solid KPMG Women's PGA opener

Korda Survives 16th Hole Scare with 2-Under 70

Nelly Korda posted a 2-under 70 in the opening round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Hazeltine National, keeping herself in the mix despite a damaging double bogey on the tournament's signature 16th hole.

The Trouble Hole

The 378-yard par-4 16th is one of the most punishing tee shots on the course — lake right, creek left, and a mostly water-guarded green. Korda chose Driver, overswung in the wind, and watched her ball hook into the creek. After taking a drop and wedging on, a three-putt from 35 feet sealed a double bogey — her only one of the day.

"Honestly just made one bad swing, which ended up in a double," Korda said. "But overall, pretty happy with my day."

Historic Stakes

The context around Korda's week makes every shot count. She's already claimed the first two majors of the 2026 season, and a victory here would make her just the third player in LPGA history to sweep the first three majors of a season. The win would also fast-track her, at just 27, into the LPGA Hall of Fame.

Early leader Ina Yoon fired a stunning 63, leaving Korda 7 shots back heading into Friday's second round.

Strokeslab's Take

From an SG perspective, a single wayward driver on a notoriously penal hole tells us very little about Korda's overall ball-striking form. Her birdie cluster on 11–15 suggests her approach game remained sharp — the double was situational, not systemic.