“Intimidating”: Nelly Korda Opens Up on Challenging Conditions at Founders Cup Despite a Strong R2 Finish
May 11, 2025, Jersey City, New Jersey, United States of America: NELLY KORDA of the United States looks on during the final round of the Mizuho Americas Open 2025 at Liberty National Golf Club on May 11, 2025 in Jersey City, New Jersey. Jersey City United States of America - ZUMAb273 20250511_zsp_b273_026 Copyright: xJordanxBankx
May 11, 2025, Jersey City, New Jersey, United States of America: NELLY KORDA of the United States looks on during the final round of the Mizuho Americas Open 2025 at Liberty National Golf Club on May 11, 2025 in Jersey City, New Jersey. Jersey City United States of America - ZUMAb273 20250511_zsp_b273_026 Copyright: xJordanxBankx
Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club is already exposing how quickly things can get out of control, and after two rounds at the Fortinet Founders Cup, Nelly Korda explained why.
"Just tricky," Korda said after round two in her media interaction. "Yesterday played different to today for me as for tee shots, I backed down off driver a couple times, hit my 3-wood. It's tricky.”
It is not one type of test either. The layout forces constant adjustment.
According to Korda, the trees add an intimidating element, while the greens are not just undulated but difficult to read, to the point where even well-struck putts inside ten feet are not going as expected.
“I've had like a bunch of putts inside of ten feet that I missed this week where I thought it was going to go one way and I hit it really solid and just kind of went the other way,” she said.
In the first round, she shot a two-under 70, hitting 11 of 14 fairways and making 32 putts. She followed it with a six-under 68 on Friday, converting more chances and avoiding the short misses that cost her in the opening round. The second round saw Korda move through Sharon Heights with more control than the day before.
January 29, 2026, Orlando, Florida, USA: Nelly Korda chips on to the 9th green during the first round of the 2026 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club. Orlando USA - ZUMAw109 20260129_fap_w109_007 Copyright: xDebbyxWongx
January 29, 2026, Orlando, Florida, USA: Nelly Korda chips on to the 9th green during the first round of the 2026 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club. Orlando USA - ZUMAw109 20260129_fap_w109_007 Copyright: xDebbyxWongx
That is where the course is biting back. Even well-hit putts are not holding their line, and that kind of doubt builds quickly.
Korda looks set for the final stretch of the Fortinet Founders Cup, with part of that steadiness coming from what she is doing away from the course.
That kind of unpredictability has made routine off the course just as important.
Nelly Korda Has Settled Into Her Routine Off the Course
The world number two leaned towards Saint Frank Coffee, saying she liked “their flat white,” and also stopped by “1 Oz.” With long days and little margin for error on the course, staying close and consistent has mattered, which kept Saint Frank’s as the easier choice.
She chose True Food Kitchen's "seed oil free" dishes on campus.
“Yesterday I cooked right after my round, actually,” Korda said. “I know there is a lot of Korean and Mediterranean, which are my two favorite cuisines, but I try to stay on the healthy side.”
It is simple, but it adds up. A steady routine off the course, adjustments on it.
Now it comes down to whether that holds over the final rounds.
Read more at Daily Club Golf!
Written by
Krushna Pattnaik
Edited by
Pulkit Prabhav