PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — Three-time main champion Nelly Korda modified her sneakers Thursday simply six holes into the primary spherical of the U.S. Ladies’s Open and shot a 2-over-par 73.
However these weren’t simply sneakers. Earlier than the event, Korda obtained customized Nike golf sneakers from LeBron James. The shoe was impressed by James’ signature line and likewise featured his crown emblem.
Korda, who praised James’ help on Tuesday, wore the sneakers at the beginning of Thursday’s spherical however was seen taking them off and changing them with one other Nike shoe by the sixth gap.
“I felt like I had a bit an excessive amount of room,” Korda mentioned after the spherical.
“I’ve had this downside earlier than. It was the identical with[Air]Jordans. Generally if you put on a distinct shade, they’re made a bit bit completely different. It is the very same shoe. I simply wished to put on this.”
“I felt extra snug sporting this,” she mentioned.
Showing on “The Pat McAfee Present” final month, Korda defined that she had switched to sneakers with increased soles this season.
“I am really attempting to get my chest nearer to the bottom, which really makes my swing angle a bit steeper and my hinge motion a bit sooner,” she mentioned. “It is actually like a bit factor. Golfers are loopy. I am telling you, I am loopy too.”
Regardless of a mid-round change at Riviera on Thursday, Korda, who was the clear favourite to win this week, has struggled and is now six photographs behind the early chief.
“It wasn’t an awesome day. I had a very good efficiency Monday via Wednesday, so I truthfully don’t know the place this got here from,” Korda mentioned. “Then let’s go to the apply vary.”
Korda has three wins on the LPGA Tour this season, together with his third main victory eventually month’s Chevron Championship.
