Korda leads LPGA as Sorenstam falls to back
ORLANDO, FLA. >> Nelly Korda surged into the lead Saturday in the Gainbridge LPGA with a 4-under 68 that left her in position to make it consecutive wins for the Korda family to start the season.
Korda, whose older sister Jessica won the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions last month to start the new LPGA Tour season, dropped only one shot on a breezy day at Lake Nona to lead by one over Patty Tavatanakit.
Annika Sorenstam, playing for the first time in more than 12 years after retiring, had no expectations and no excuses. She kept leaving herself in bad spots around the green and finished with a 79. That put her in last place by four shots, 22 shots behind Korda.
Korda was at 13-under 203, one shot ahead of Tavatanakit, the blossoming Thai star who needed only a half-dozen starts on the Symetra Tour to earn her LPGA card when she left UCLA. KOEPKA TAKES LEAD >> Brooks Koepka hit three straight birdies that led to a 6-under 66 and a one-shot lead in the Workday Championship on Friday.
Koepka, who finished at 11-under 133, had a one-shot lead over Cameron Smith, Billy Horschel and PGA champion Collin Morikawa, who made up ground quick with six birdies over his last 10 holes.
MICKELSON IN CONTENTION IN CHAMPIONS EVENT >> Phil Mickelson on Friday made a birdie after hitting out of the mud on the par-5 15th hole during a 3-under 70 at the Cologuard Classic, putting him in contention for a third straight victory to open his PGA Tour Champions career.
Mickelson was four shots behind Mike Weir, who had a bogey-free 66 in windy conditions at Tucson National.