Dow GLBI: Nelly Korda, Jessica Korda light it up in Round 1

On a rare Wednesday start, the Dow GLBI (Great Lakes Bay Invitational) got underway with plenty of intrigue. The team format, which makes knowing your partner’s strengths even more important than knowing your own, is a fun dynamic for the LPGA Tour.

Wednesday’s format was alternate shot, which is a bit of a shake up from playing a normal round of golf. Not taking every stroke really puts reliance on your partner. For Nelly Korda and Jessica Korda, it looked like a walk in the park.

The Korda sisters made things look pretty easy in round 1 of the Dow GLBI.

Things started out very smooth for Nelly Korda and Jessica Korda (Team “Jelly”), as they birdied the first hole on the golf course. Jessica drained a putt on the third hole as they took advantage of the Par 5, which with their length wasn’t surprising. Birdies followed on eight and nine, as Nelly and Jessica each sunk a birdie putt, bringing a front nine total of 31.

On 11, many expected another birdie on the Par 5, but a wayward layup and a three putt gave the sisters an uncharacteristic bogey, sending them back to 3-under.

After a few good looks on the back nine, things got back on track at 16, where Nelly showed off the club twirl, putting an iron shot very close, leaving Jessica with an easy birdie to get things back to 4-under.

On the Par 3 finishing 18th, Jessica hit a shot just over the flagstick, and Nelly finished things off with a birdie, tying them up at the top with a 5-under 65 on Wednesday.

After the round, they talked about how playing together is easy because they feel comfortable with communication. Even though their games are similar, their ball-striking ability, length, and putting should make for a week in contention at the Dow GLBI.

Tomorrow’s best ball format will give the Korda’s a chance to take advantage even more with their length and attack pins more freely. Don’t be surprised to see them at the top of the leaderboard after Thursday’s round.