Korda Shoots 64 to Trail Thitikul by One at CME Championship

Naples, Florida, marked a turning point for Nelly Korda on Friday at the CME Group Tour Championship, where the world number two fired an 8-under 64 in the second round to vault into contention at Tiburon Golf Club. Despite the strong performance, Korda trails leader Jeeno Thitikul by one stroke after 36 holes in the LPGA Tour's season finale, which features the top 60 players competing for an $11 million purse and a $4 million winner's share.

Korda's round began with back-to-back birdies, followed by another at the sixth hole, before a bogey at the seventh. She responded with three consecutive birdies and closed with birdies on three of her final four holes, hitting all 14 fairways and 16 of 18 greens in regulation. The effort put her at 7-under for the tournament, temporarily in the lead until Thitikul, the defending champion and world number one, posted a 63 to reach 13-under. Somi Lee, who led after the opening round with a 66 amid challenging winds, sits at 9-under.

The 26-year-old American's surge comes after a frustrating first round on Thursday, where she finished seven strokes behind Lee despite solid ball-striking. Korda, who won seven times in 2024 including two...