Korda targets five-in-a-row of titles as Maguire eyes first Major

Nelly Korda insists she’s taking nothing for granted as the World No 1 bids to secure an incredible fifth straight win and second Major in the Chevron Championship.

Korda took a seven-week break after winning her first title of the year, the LPGA Drive On Championship, in January, and returned to win three events in the space of three weeks, including beating Cavan’s Leona Maguire in the final of the T-Mobile Match Play.

The 25-year-old is the first woman to win on four consecutive starts since Lorena Ochoa in 2008.

“In 2021 I went on a run, and then in 2022 and 2023 golf really humbled me,” admitted Korda, who won four times in 2021, including her sole Major title in the Women’s PGA Championship.

“There are ups and downs. Every athlete goes through the roller-coaster, and that is what makes the sport so great. You mature and grow so much and learn more about yourself.

It makes all the hard work so worth it. But I think I’ve learned so much about myself even through the losses.”

Korda has had one week since her last victory to recharge the batteries ahead of the first women’s Major of the season at Carlton Woods in Texas, where she finished a shot outside the play-off won by Lilia Vu last year.

Korda and Vu have been drawn together for the first two rounds alongside Australia’s Minjee Lee, while Maguire goes in search of her first Major in a group with Grace Kim and Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist. Stephanie Meadow is among the early starters on day one.

Meanwhile, Matt Fitzpatrick lines up full of hope for the defence of his RBC Heritage title at Hilton Head. Fitzpatrick defeated Jordan Spieth in a play-off last year to win his first regular PGA Tour event, the 2022 US Open champion making a birdie at the third extra hole after the pair finished tied on 17-under par.

Also teeing it up at the South Carolina venue are the Irish trio of Rory McIlroy (paired with Ludvig Aberg), Shane Lowry and Séamus Power.

Chevron Championship, noon RBC Heritage, 3.0pm (Both live Sky Sports)