Nelly Korda won the biggest title of her career over the weekend, conquering the field at Riviera Country Club by one shot at the US Women’s Open. But unlike many victories in his career, he didn’t look in control of his swing all week.
His stubbornly uncooperative swing was evident in his opening round of the tournament on Thursday afternoon as he posted a two-over 73. In that opening stretch, Korda lost a few strokes on the field with his performance – a rarity for one of the game’s best strikers.
“I hit it pretty good Monday through Wednesday, so I don’t really know where this is coming from,” she said. “So I’m going to the place.”
Joining him in the series was his sister, six-time LPGA winner Jessica. And as the duo searched the dirt for the missing ingredient in Korda’s turn, Jessica saw something. Her sister’s grip seemed to be weakening, and her trailing hand was crawling more and more over the shaft. In an attempt to correct it, he suggested that he tighten his hand and place that hand of the guide a little under the pin.
Grip changes are some of the most difficult changes to make in your golf swing, and many pros avoid them at all costs. If you’re used to holding the club a certain way, even a small adjustment can send you spinning, and can change the delivery dynamics drastically if not done right. But after not doing well in Round 1, Korda decided to give it a shot.
“I just keep putting it up,” Kords said. “It felt really good today, but I just trusted and went with it.”
The results were seen immediately. In Round 2, Korda’s iron game returned to its previous form. He earned a shot at the field with his play, posting a 67 to put himself back in contention. He matched that number on Saturday to share the 54-hole lead, and entered the final round in good shape to claim the title he so desperately wanted.
“I think transitioning is one of the hardest things to do,” Korda said in a TV interview after his round. “The level of trust is really high [Jessica]. I know I can always count on him. He’s been there when I’ve warmed up and I feel warm almost every day, so he’s been a great support system.”
Changing grip mid-tournament was a risky move, and as a professional golfer, Jessica knew how uncomfortable the change must have been. Shortly after completing her lone win, Korda met with the media and shared that Jessica “couldn’t sleep” at the thought of ruining her sister’s skating with advice.
In the end, the risky move paid off. Korda posted a final round of 69 on Sunday to hold off Charley Hull and Gabby Lopez, adding a major point to his impressive streak.
