PEBBLE BEACH, California – Nelly Korda’s first loop around Pebble Beach wasn’t even on a good day. The weather was soupy, void of sunshine and yet, she couldn’t stop staring.
“The views on every hole,” marveled Korda, “I feel like you get to a hole and you’re like, this is my favorite view, and then you get to another hole and, no, this is actually my favorite view.”
Korda played Pebble Beach for the first time on Monday in a practice round for the 78th U.S. Women’s Open and nearly aced the seventh hole in her first attempt, landing about an inch away from the cup. Amazingly, one of the best ball-strikers in the game hasn’t made an ace since age 11.
As a kid, she often played Pebble Beach on an EA Sports game with her brother Sebastian and reported that the seventh hole was her favorite in the game, too.
Korda, a former No.1 and eight-time LPGA winner, called the greens at Pebble the smallest she’s ever seen and said it’s crucial to miss shots in the right spots. While the weather will be chilly but mild early in the week, the wind is expected to pick up on the weekend.
“You have to really concentrate out here, especially with the bouncy poa,” said Korda. “You don’t know what kind of first bounce you’re going to get, so just making sure that you’re taking your time over every shot, being very diligent with your routine and just with the process with your caddie, too, making sure that you talk over every part of every hole.”
The course will play to a par 72 this week with an official yardage of 6,509 yards. The second hole will play to a par 5 at 509/465 yards. While No. 2 has played as a par 4 for the three most recent U.S. Opens, it played as a par 5 in 1972, 1982 and 1992.
This week marks the first time the women will play Pebble Beach for a major championship. There have been six U.S. Opens staged at Pebble Beach over the years, with Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Tom Watson among the winners.
“I don’t think you can compare this golf course to any tournament,” said Korda. “It’s Pebble. Now I understand it, playing it for the first time.”
Korda went to the KPMG Women’s PGA two weeks ago off a month-long break from the LPGA after lower back pain resulted in a forced spring break. When she returned to work, it was with a new swing instructor, Jason Baile, director of instruction at Jupiter Hills Club in Florida. Korda began working with Baile about 10 days before she teed it up at Baltusrol Golf Club.
After missing the cut by a mile at KPMG, Korda flew home to Florida frustrated with everything.
“I had a two-way miss at Baltusrol,” said Korda, “and I was not making any putts, too. I spent a lot of time on the range.”
Korda went to work with her father Petr; the instructor of her youth, David Whelan; and her most recent swing coach prior to Baile, Jamie Mulligan.
Roller coasters are just part of the game, she said.
“I just put my head down and grinded,” said Korda. “I love that about golf. I think no one knows everything and no one is an expert, and I think that this is the beauty of the game is that everyone experiences highs and lows.”
Korda’s older sister Jessica had to withdraw from the championship as she takes an indefinite break from the tour dealing with her own back injury. Brother Sebastian is playing Wimbledon this week.