Jersey City, N.J. — Defending champion Nelly Korda struck behind with the long, soft Liberty National, earning a 4-under 68 on the final five holes and a share of Mizuho America’s lead on Friday.
The course from Manhattan to the Hudson River, covered in rain and clouds, played longer than ever. Korda and Jeeno Thitikul each had to use fairway metal for their approach at the 429-yard hole.
“You really need to dial everything you do in these terms. “So you really have to dial in. That’s what you did really good work with.”
South Korean Somi Lee had seven birdies in rounds 67, but was slowed down by two bogeys towards the end. She joined morning starters Andrealy (68) and Korda on top of the 8-under 136 leaderboard.
Korda, the number one player in women’s golf, hasn’t won this year yet. She won the Mizuho Americas Open a year ago with her sixth victory in the season.
After opening at 64, Thitikul, who had a two-shot lead at the start of the round, extended his lead with three birdies on four holes before momentum stopped. She made the remaining four bogeys, including the ninth long three putt for the 73.
Thitikul, No. 2, behind the world rankings, was in 137 large groups, including Boutier (71), Carlota Ciganda (70) from Spain, and Stephanie Kyriacou (69) from Australia.
“I thought it was tough, but I was excuse that it was much more tough,” Boutier said. “When it came down, it went down pretty hard, so it was a bit difficult. I think the toughest part is how cold it got in the end. I’m sure my hands were pretty hard and cold, which made it a little more difficult.”