A glue Kim holds the lead of the LPGA opener; Nelly Korda ignores marriage proposals, getting four back

On By Littum

Orlando, fla.-a glue Kim probably made birdies in an up-and-down second round to maintain a pillow between himself and top-ranked Nelly Korda on Friday at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, the LGPA Tour season opener.

Kim shot 69 at Lake Nona for a two-day total 10 under 134, making six birdies and three bogeys after her bogey-free opening round. It was good for a three-shot lead over Linn Grant (67) and four shots better than Korda, which was even on par with the tournament through his first 22 holes, but shot 6 from there for a 67.

“There is no better tournament than this tournament to come back,” Korda said, referring to the pro-am format that includes athletes and celebrities. “New season, it’s more relaxed, playing with someone like Kevin Millar (depicted above) and (Derek) Lowe, where you’ve known them for so long. This is my sixth year playing this event, so friendships are formed. “

Lowe, a former Major League jug, also helped when a fan suggested marriage to Korda.

“D Lowe shut him right down,” Korda said. “I didn’t say anything, and he was like,” Bud, I think it was a no. “He was like ‘did I talk out of turn?’ I was like ‘No, that was a good answer.’ “

Korda comes from a seven-win season that included her other great championship.

Rio Takeda (68) and Leona Maguire (68) were also four shots left.

The defending champion Lydia Ko, whose four wins in 2024 included an Olympic Gold Medal and Aig Women’s Open in St. Andrews, used a new putter in her opening round 73. She returned last year’s putter to the bag on Friday, shot 67 and were six shots back.

“Obviously, it’s not the sake of the putter. That’s all Puttee’s fault, “Ko said. “It’s just to have a difficult round on the green to return to something that I am familiar with, and I know I’ve put well with, I was a good change for me.”

Former NHL player Joe Pavelski led the celebrity leader, a point in front of Mardy Fish. Lowe, Mark Mulder and Jeremy Roenick were two points left.