SM
Friday, November 8
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Nelly Korda and Louise Duncan catch the eye in the first round at Carnoustie

:Headline: Nelly Korda and Louise Duncan catch the eye in the first round at Carnoustie:
The Scottish amateur caught the eye, while Nelly Korda continued her recent impressive form.
Sports Mole

Nelly Korda lived up to her billing as pre-tournament favourite as Scottish amateur Louise Duncan delighted the home fans on the opening day of the AIG Women's Open at Carnoustie.

World number one and Olympic champion Korda continued her brilliant recent form with a five-under-par 67 to share the lead with Sweden's Madelene Sagstrom and South Korea's Sei Young Kim.

But arguably the most impressive round of the day came from 21-year-old Stirling University student Duncan, who carded an eagle and four birdies to match the 68 of playing partner and 2018 winner Georgia Hall.

"It was a ridiculous amount of fun, I wasn't expecting that at all," Duncan, whose caddie and university coach Dean Robertson is a former European Tour player, told Sky Sports. "I'm over the moon with it.

"I was so nervous at the start. I was shaking and could barely put the ball on the tee. To actually make contact and it go straight was a bonus.

"The course is in great condition and it was actually quite playable. There's good scores out there definitely and to finish off with four pars I'm extremely happy because it's a tough stretch.

"It was really nice to have a few of my friends and family here, supporting me all the way round."

Scotland's Louise Duncan waves to the crowd on the 18th green during day one of the AIG Women's Open at Carnoustie (Ian Rutherford/PA)

Korda is now a combined 87 under par for her last 21 rounds, a run which includes her first major title in the Women's PGA Championship and Olympic gold in Tokyo earlier this month.

"I'm very happy," the 23-year-old American said. "It was very chilly in the morning, that was the only thing against us today but the wind kept calm and I took advantage of it.

"I'm a little tired but I'm still going to give it my all these next three days. I'll go home next week, have one week at home and sleep in my own bed for the first time in six weeks which will be nice and then Solheim (Cup), we start up again.

"It's going to be quick but I'm trying to take my recovery as seriously as possible."

Asked if she enjoyed being the pre-tournament favourite and focus of attention, Korda added: "You strive to be in this position so it feels good but you kind of know that you have a target on your back.

"I just try to take the positives and see how it goes."

Sagstrom looked set to hold the outright lead when she posted her seventh birdie of the day on the 15th to move to six under, but bogeyed the 18th after an errant drive.

However, the 28-year-old will have impressed playing partner and Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew, who will name her six wild cards on Monday after the six automatic qualifiers are decided on Sunday evening.

Sweden's Madelene Sagstrom reacts on the 18th during day one of the AIG Women's Open at Carnoustie (Ian Rutherford/PA)

"Of course I want to show off my game to her. I can't deny that," Sagstrom said. "Who knows where her mind is at right now? I'm just trying to play as well as I can to give myself a chance for that team.

"I haven't put too much pressure on myself this time. I put a little bit more pressure on myself both in '17 and '19, really wanting to make that team, and I'm kind of at a state where I'm like, if I'm good enough, I will make that team."

England's Charley Hull is set to qualify for the Solheim Cup side but started with a double bogey on the first and made another on the 17th in her 77, while Matthew was a shot worse off following a birdie-free 78.

Defending champion Sophia Popov carded a level-par 72.

body check tags ::

amp_article__459934 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-08-19 17:49:37:
html db last update - 2021-08-19 17:49:37 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Nelly Korda

Share this article now:
CM
Read Next:
Catriona Matthew reckons Nelly Korda has potential to dominate women's game
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Nelly Korda Catriona Matthew Charley Hull Golf
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Catriona Matthew reckons Nelly Korda has potential to dominate women's game
Amad to the rescue: Ivorian stars as Man United beat PAOK in Europa League
Have Palmer, Rice made the cut? Lee Carsley's final England squad revealed!
Dyche 'leaves door open' for Branthwaite exit amid Man United links

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Felix, Nkunku net brace as Chelsea run rampant in demolition of FC Noah

1

FN

Messi MVP quest continues, but will Busquets play? Inter Miami predicted XI vs. Atlanta

2

MM

Neymar seeking Saudi exit in favour of return to former club?

3

NS

Dyche 'leaves door open' for Branthwaite exit amid Man United links

4

D'

Have Palmer, Rice made the cut? Lee Carsley's final England squad revealed!

5

HP

Amad to the rescue: Ivorian stars as Man United beat PAOK in Europa League

6

AT

Preview: Crystal Palace vs. Fulham - prediction, team news, lineups

7

PC

Preview: Brighton vs. Man City - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PB

Preview: Inter Miami vs. Atlanta - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PI

Preview: VfL Bochum vs. B. Leverkusen - prediction, team news, lineups

10

PV


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .