Nelly Korda Gets Honest About the Crowds at Mayakoba After Three Rounds
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RIVIERA MAYA OPEN AT MAYAKOBA 2026 RIVIERA MAYA OPEN AT MAYAKOBA 2026 PROAM TOURNAMENT 29042026 PLAYA DEL CARMEN, QUINTANA ROO. Action photo of Nelly Korda of the USA, during the ProAm tournamet of the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba 2026 at El Camaleon Golf Club in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Foto de accion de Nelly Korda de Estados Unidos, durante el evento ProAm del torneo Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba 2026 celebrado en el Club de Golf El Camaleon en Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Photo by IMAGENSHOP AGENCIA FOTOGRAFICA PLAYA DEL CARMEN QUINTANA ROO MEXICO *** RIVIERA MAYA OPEN AT MAYAKOBA 2026 RIVIERA MAYA OPEN AT MAYAKOBA 2026 PROAM TOURNAMENT 29042026 PLAYA DEL CARMEN, QUINTANA ROO Action photo of Nelly Korda of the USA, during the ProAm tournamet of the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba 2026 at El Camaleon Golf Club in Playa del Carmen, Mexico Action photo of Nelly Korda of the USA, during the ProAm tournamet of the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba 2026 held at El Camaleon Golf Club in Playa del Carmen, Mexico Photo by IMAGENSHOP AGENCIA FOTOGRAFICA PLAYA DEL CARMEN QUINTANA ROO MEXICO Copyright: xYOALIxMARTINEZx
Nelly Korda has once again gotten off to a great start at the Riviera Maya Open. Currently leading the tournament, the World No. 1 opened up about the crowd at Mayakoba.
Korda is on her way to winning back-to-back titles on the LPGA Tour. She arrived at Mayakoba after her wire-to-wire major win at Chevron Championship, Memorial Park.
“I mean, the crowds have been great. The location is great,” Korda said.
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PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 26: LPGA, Golf Damen golfer Nelly Korda plays her tee shot on the 9th hole during the first round of the LPGA Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass on March 26, 2026, at the Cattail Course at Whirlwind Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire GOLF: MAR 26 LPGA Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2603261
“Yeah, it’s been nice. I haven’t been back here in a really long time. You know, when you have the vibe that you have on 18, it is a lot of fun, but it is hot out here,” she added.
The 27-year-old concluded the third round with a score of 5-under 67, giving her a three-shot lead over Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol.
Rounds of 68, 67, and 67 could make Korda the first player since Annika Sorenstam in 2001 to start a season with six consecutive tournaments without finishing lower than runner-up.
“So, I show much appreciation to the fans who come out and stuck out all 18 holes,” Korda said.
Back at No. 1 for the seventh time, Korda remains a massive draw for fans at every stop on the tour. The crowd at Mayakoba has also been very active in showing support for Gaby Lopez, who is playing in front of her home crowd.
With an eagle on the final hole on Saturday, Korda has put herself in position to become the first American in 22 years to secure a title right after winning a major, since Meg Mallon in 2004.
Although Korda had not been to Mayakoba since her rookie year in 2017, she has clearly been comfortable on the course.
Korda will pair up with Yubol for the final round.
Yubol’s Performance At Mayakoba
Arpichaya Yubol is in strong contention to win the Riviera Maya Open.
The 24-year-old finished three shots behind Korda after scoring a bogey-free 6-under 66. Since joining the LPGA in 2023, she has yet to win her first title.
“I never play with her before. Like… Nelly Korda, Lydia Ko, they both kind of like my idol, because they play very good. And if I have to play with her tomorrow, it’s just like my dream come true,” Yubol said.
Yubol will go head-to-head against her idol in the Riviera Maya Open, looking for her first win. Korda now looks to leverage her championship experience to secure the back-to-back sweep.
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Written by
Avishek Sarkar
Edited by
Pulkit Prabhav