Hometown favorite Nelly Korda takes 4-shot lead in LPGA Drive On Championship

Nelly Korda looks toward spectators after sinking a birdie on the eighth green during the first round of the LPGA Drive On Championship golf tournament at Bradenton Country Club, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius) (Steve Nesius, Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

BRADENTON ā€“ Hometown favorite Nelly Korda shot a 3-under 68 with an eagle-birdie finish Saturday to take a four-shot lead into the final round of the LPGA Drive On Championship.

Trying to complete a wire-to-wire victory at Bradenton Country Club, Korda rebounded with the late flurry after making consecutive bogeys on Nos. 7 and 8 in 10-15 mph wind with the temperature in the upper 70s.

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ā€œIā€™m actually kind of taken back with how much support Iā€™ve been getting this week,ā€ Korda said. ā€œBeing in Florida I always get a lot of support, but hometown, itā€™s crazy. I was born just in the hospital just down the road from here. Itā€™s been nice seeing friends and family come out ... feeling the support.ā€

The eight-time LPGA Tour winner was 13 under.

ā€œItā€™s a confidence boost knowing I can climb up the leaderboard and contend and stay in contention,ā€ Korda said. ā€œDefinitely didnā€™t have the great start today.ā€

Coming off a victory in the Tournament of Champions, Lydia Ko was tied for second after a 69. Megan Khang (66) and Ayaka Furue (69) also were 9 under.

ā€œIt was really windy,ā€ said Ko, a victory short of entering the LPGA Hall of Fame. ā€œIt was almost as windy as the peak of the first day. It didnā€™t really die down until we were pretty much on the last hole.ā€

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf


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