PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico (AP) — Nelly Korda kept out of trouble and played bogey-free Friday for a 5-under 67, giving her a share of the early lead with Brianna Do in Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba in the LPGA Tour's only tournament in Mexico.
Korda only took advantage on two of the four par 5s at El Camaleon, and she had to scramble on the par-5 18th coming out of the right rough. But she had the right touch on a gap wedge from just over 50 yards to 4 feet to close out her round with a birdie.
That allowed her to catch Do, who had a fairway metal for her second shot into the par-4 ninth and finished with a bogey for a 69.
They were at 9-under 135 among the early starters, though they still faced a stronger wind than the morning wave from the day before on the course along the coast of the Caribbean Sea.
“Drive it straight, hit it close and make putts,” Korda said of the key to playing El Camaleon, the rest course that previously hosted PGA Tour and LIV Golf events.
Minami Katsu of Japan had a 69 and was two shots behind.
Melanie Green, who shared the 18-hole lead with Do, and Carlota Ciganda were among those playing in the afternoon when the temperature climbs and the wind typically picks up.
Korda hit only seven of the 14 fairways, though she was rarely out of position and at times went with a fairway metal off the tee to avoid the bunkers. But she putted for her birdie on all but two holes and was steady over a few 4-foot par putts.
She also had a big following, only partially related to being the No. 1 player in women's golf with her wire-to-wire victory last week in The Chevron Championship for her second win this year, and her third career major.
She was playing alongside Gaby Lopez of Mexico, who shot 71 and was four shots behind.
“Playing with Gaby the crowds have been amazing to see the local support for her, ” Korda said. “And not complaining about where I am on the leaderboard. Playing some solid golf and playing in front of fun crowds, hometown crowds for Gaby is fun to see. Hopefully I can continue playing well, good golf going into the weekend.”
Do, the 36-year-old American, managed her 69 without making birdie on the par 5s. But her iron game gave her plenty of good looks for birdie, and she converted four of them.
She tied for ninth at the Riviera Maya Open a year ago, her only top 10 on the LPGA Tour.
“I put myself in that position last year here and so I think I’m going to be a little more prepared for it this year,” Do said. “I don’t think you’re ever very comfortable being in contention and leading, and so I’m going accept it and kind of just play within myself and feel the feels and kind of see what happens — just accept what happens.”
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