The world No. 1 spent most of the spring trying to find another gear, and on moving day at the U.S. Women's Open she finally hit it. Korda's third round turned on a chip-in that pulled her to within a single shot of the lead, the kind of momentum-shifter that tends to define week-long major narratives.
The chip-in that flipped Korda's round, dropping her to within one of the lead.
From there she did not let off the gas. Three straight birdies to close out the round vaulted Korda up the board to -5, pulling her even with Chun at the top depending on how the late wave finished. For a player who has dealt with stretches of inconsistency this year, ripping off a closing run like that at a USGA setup is the loudest possible statement that she is locked in for Sunday.
The putt that capped a 3-birdie finish and tied her for the lead on the leaderboard graphic.
The reaction inside the Barstool golf world was about what you would expect. Korda has been the engine of mainstream women's golf interest for a few years now, and a Sunday with her in the final group at a U.S. Women's Open is exactly the kind of TV the sport needs.
Riggs reacting to the birdie-birdie-birdie close and previewing Sunday at Riviera.
NELLY!!! Birdie birdie birdie finish for the ole turkey. What an afternoon we’re gonna have tomorrow at Riv
Now it is a 1-day sprint for a major. Korda gets to tee it up Sunday with the lead in her sights, the crowd squarely on her side, and a chance to add another USGA trophy to the case. If the closing stretch on Saturday was any indication, the back nine is going to be appointment viewing.