LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Nelly Korda has reunited with the man she writes for « build my game of golf ».
Korda followed an opening round 65 with a Friday 66 to play at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions to start the weekend as second. Korda says the key to her success this week was returning to her longtime instructor, David Whelan. The 22-year-old started working with Whelan when she was 15. Korda got back together with Whelan after the CME Group Tour Championship in December.
« I just trust Dave so much, » Korda said on Friday. “Without him I wouldn’t be where I am. He has a special place in my heart. Will always. And I think the chemistry is obviously there and we work well together. “
Korda split from Whelan a few weeks before the ANA inspiration in September to work with Justin Sheehan. She finished T-2 after losing to Master Mirim Lee in a playoff. The following week, she finished fifth in the ShopRite LPGA Classic. Korda had to retire from the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship with a back injury and missed the cut on her return at the US Women’s Open. Before reuniting with Whelan, she finished T-19 in the CME Group Tour Championship.
Korda, the world’s top-ranked American fourth on the Rolex rankings, spent the tour’s three-week off-season with Whelan. They spent time returning to a steeper back swing and reducing hip movement in their down swing. Korda puts two shots through 36 holes behind leader Danielle Kang.
« I hit it really well, » said Korda. “We really dialed into my irons and swings, so I’m very happy with it.”
Whelan also has with Nelly’s sister Jessica, as well as with Paula Creamer, 2010 US Women’s Open Champion, and Catriona Matthew , the victorious captain of the Solheim Cup Europe 2019.
BY Rex Hoggard
BY Rex Hoggard
BY Ryan Lavner
Ref: https://www.golfchannel.com
