SM
Spurs vs. Arsenal: 5 hrs 35 mins
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 17:14:12 :

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
Late Chelsea winner denied in pulsating four-goal Aston Villa draw
This weekend's permutations: Who can be crowned champions, win promotion or suffer relegation?
Premier League predictions gameweek 35: A Certain Ratio's Martin Moscrop vs. Sports Mole

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Manchester CityMan City33237380324876
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
9Chelsea33139116359448
10Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
11Bournemouth34129134960-1145
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton331111115254-244
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316
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

Sunday's Premier League predictions including Tottenham vs. Arsenal

1

SP

Sunday's Eredivisie predictions including NEC vs. AZ Alkmaar

2

SE

Sunday's Turkish Super Lig predictions including Trabzonspor vs. Gaziantep

3

ST

Sunday's Primeira Liga predictions including Porto vs. Sporting Lisbon

4

SP

Sunday's Bundesliga predictions including Monchengladbach vs. Union Berlin

5

SB

Sunday's La Liga predictions including Real Betis vs. Sevilla

6

SL

Arsenal 'want up to four marquee signings this summer'

7

A'

Chelsea 'ready to sell four home-grown stars this summer'

8

C'

Arsenal's Bukayo Saka out to emulate Ian Wright feat in North London derby

9

AB

Man United 'handed major Olise boost as winger's stance revealed'

10

MU


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