– Nelly Korda (-14) is running away with the Chevron Championship. It cannot be put any other way. The world number two carded this Friday her second consecutive round of 65 strokes, seven under par, to extend her lead at the top of the first Major of the year to six strokes. She brought to mind the dominant version of Rory McIlroy on Friday at the Masters at Augusta who arrived on Saturday with exactly that same advantage. We all know what happened on that moving day, there is a long way to go, but the dominance has been overwhelming so far
– The American, 27, is chasing her second title in the event in the last three editions and finished the day with two consecutive birdies to sit fourteen under par, setting the tournament record after 36 holes. It is the first time in Korda’s career that she has strung together two rounds of 65 strokes or less in a Major and also the first time something like this has happened in a women’s major outside the Evian Championship. The previous biggest lead for a leader after 36 holes in this event was four strokes and she will wake up on Saturday with six. Fifteen birdies and only one bogey, there is little more to say. The main chaser is Patty Tavatanatik, in solo second at eight under par and the only player not to have made a bogey all week
– The performance from Nelly has been impressive so far, as historic as the fact that four Spanish players have made the cut in Houston. Julia López (-1), Carlota Ciganda (PAR) and the two Madrid amateurs from Stanford, Paula Martín (+2) y Andrea Revuelta (+2). An unprecedented milestone in the tournament. This edition equalled the entry record of 2013, but never before had four players made the cut at this great event. These young players have fought as if there were no tomorrow and their hard work has paid off
— Julia López (-1) keeps going with a consistency that is frightening. The Málaga player posted a second round of 72 strokes, comfortably securing her place for the weekend. She remains one under par overall, in a solid position and with the top ten just three shots away, a distance perfectly achievable with 36 holes still to play at Memorial Park. On a long, demanding course with little margin for error, Julia again returned a tidy card, without major scares, despite the stumble on the final hole. The stat also starts to mean something. At just 23 years old, Julia López has already debuted in the five Majors and has made the cut in every one of her debuts. It is not just any stat. In total she has now seven appearances in Majors and has missed the cut only once, at the 2025 Open. On each first appearance, however, she has always played the weekend. For a player who is still building her place among the elite, that reliability is a very serious sign
– A shot behind is veteran Carlota Ciganda (PAR). The Navarrese already knows what it is to finish twice in fourth place and, despite the change of scenery, continues to tick along like clockwork. Do not discount Carlota in a big moving day escape. It is clear that if Nelly keeps up the pace it will be almost impossible, but the Spaniard will be looking for a Saturday of fireworks to give her a chance to dream of improving on that fourth place
– Paula Martín (+2) and Andrea Revuelta (+2) are starting to be a bit like Pili y Mili in this golf business. They are not twins, but almost. Barely a year apart, great friends, both from Madrid, both studying at Stanford and currently the world amateur number two and three. Well, both made the cut at The Chevron Championship on their debuts, for which they had both received invitations. Paula did it with a solid par card and Andrea with a great comeback and a round of 70 strokes. The two amateurs thus answered the invitation by showing the great golf they know they can play. The weekend is a gift to enjoy and to compete against the best
– The bitter side of the day was left by Carla Tejedo (+8) who did not manage to make the cut on her debut. A learning experience for the rucksack and with the confidence that this will be the first of many Chevrons in her career. You never know, but let us hope so
– In addition, the day had an emotional component with the farewell of Stacy Lewis from professional golf. The American, winner of two majors, thirteen LPGA Tour titles and former captain of the United States Solheim Cup team, played the last tournament of her career in Houston. Lewis, pregnant with her second child and with her father as caddie, could not make the cut after rounds of 79 and 77 strokes, but she closed at the Chevron Championship a hugely significant career in women’s golf
– Among the big names who missed the cut, notably the World Number One, Jeeno Thitikul (+3) and Lydia Ko (+3).
