Nelly Korda played with big sister Jessica as her partner in her first event as the No. 1 player in the world. The round started on the first tee with new LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan handing out the No. 1 caddie bib to Nelly’s longtime looper, Jason McDede.
The round ended with the Kordas in a share of the lead at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational after an opening 5-under 65 in the alternate-shot format. The pair are joined by defending champions Cydney Clanton/Jasmine Suwannapura, Aditi Ashok/Pajaree Anannarukarn and Lauren Stephenson/Jillian Hollis.
Asked what she did to celebrate becoming No. 1, Nelly said: “Absolutely nothing.”
Jessica added: “Watched our brother play tennis.”
“Yeah, I was stressed and watched Seb play tennis the first week honestly,” Nelly continued, “and then I took a few days off and then I got back to grinding again. We have a lot of events, important events coming up. You don’t even have the time to kind of let it sink in in a sense to kind of enjoy it, but I just took a couple days for myself and just started practicing again.”
First Round
Check out some of the top shots from Wednesday at the @DowGLBI!
pic.twitter.com/wdaYm9z0h5
— LPGA (@LPGA) July 14, 2021
Playing in the inaugural Dow helped the sister act develop a plan for teaming up together. It helps, too, that together they’ve won four events this season.
“Obviously playing Solheim Cup after this event last year, our last time we were here was super helpful, as well,” said Jessica.
“We have had a pretty good game plan, and our caddies actually went to dinner last night with their books. They’re super nerdy about it. I think they were honestly more excited about this whole experience.”
The Kordas posted one bogey in the opening round on the par-5 11th.
Another set of sisters – Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn – are two shots back in a share of seventh.
“We had not a lot of fight,” said Moriya, “and if I get mad, try to walk away and not talking for her for like maybe one hole or two.”
Lydia Ko and Danielle Kang recorded seven birdies in their opening round and finished at 2 under.
“Having known her for so long I think it puts a little bit less pressure and I’m not like, ‘Oh, my God, I’m so sorry after a bad shot,’ ” said Ko.
“I think almost when you’re playing in this kind of format, I’m taking a little longer because I want to do better for her and just for the team.”
Missing Team #HoldOnToJohButts in Michigan
@TheJanePark | @tiffjoh pic.twitter.com/nWefvB08rC
— LPGA (@LPGA) July 14, 2021