Jersey City - Champions find ways to win even when they do not have their best stuff. Nelly Korda did not have her best stuff Sunday at the Mizuho Americas Open, but Nelly Korda is also a champion, so Nelly Korda found a way to win.
If Saturday's bogeyless round was Korda at, or near, her best, then Sunday, was at the other end of the spectrum. Korda even admitted as much saying that she probably only had her C or D game, on her way to a 1-uner-par 71 for the day, and 14-under for the tournament.
"Yeah, I feel like you never have your A-game throughout an entire tournament," Korda said of her less-than-stellar day, adding, "You kind of have to grind through it even with your B, C, and D game. I definitely felt like I had my C and D game today. Didn't really play at that well."
However, grind is what Korda did, and while she was at +2 for the round through the front nine on Sunday, she knew that she had opportunities for birdies on the back nine.
Hannah Green finished as the runner-up at the 2024 Mizuho Americas Open. (Photo by Christopher Shannon - JSN)
"Even though I was 2-over, I was still tied for the lead, so it's not like I was completely discouraged with my play," Korda said. "Overall, you know, definitely tough start to the day and then grind it out on the back nine."
Korda later reiterated that point saying, "Just told myself that even though I was 2-over, I still had opportunities on the back nine to take the lead or to battle with Hannah (Green), because she was playing solid golf."
The only other multiple tournament winner on tour this year, Hannah Green certainly was playing solid golf Sunday at Liberty National. Green went toe to toe with Korda throughout the day carding four birdies to two bogies, compared to Korda's four birdies and three bogies, for a 2-under 70 for the round and -13 for the tournament. However, whereas Korda had no bogies on the back nine, a missed drive off the tee on the closing hole led to a bogey on that hole handing Korda the victory after she was able to make par.
"Yeah, I mean, to lose to Nelly kind of like is--it's sad, but then it's also Nelly Korda," Green said of her round, adding, "You know, like she's obviously so dominant right now. (I) feel like second behind her is quite nice. Unfortunately, the bogey on the last has a little bit of a sour taste, but I still competed out there when I didn't really think I was in it at all."
Ariya Jutanugarn, Jennifer Kupcho, Gabriela Ruffels, and Chanettee Wannasaen finished the tournament in third at 10-under, while Wayne native, Marina Alex finished in a tie for seventh at 9-under for the tournament.
Gianna Clemente Crowned Mizuho Americas Open AJGA Champion
Gianna Clemente was the AGJA winner of the 2024 Mizuho Americas Open. (Photo by Christopher Shannon - JSN)
Gianna Clemente won the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) championship at this year's Mizuho Americas Open.
Clemente finished the tournament with 149 points to eke past second place finishers Anna Huang and Yana Wilson who finished two behind with 147 points.
"I think as soon as I walked onto the first tee maybe a little bit of nerves, but I think I settled in really quickly," Clemente said of her round, adding, "I didn't get off to a bad start. Just very solid. Definitely a lot of different emotions going on throughout the day."
Clemente went on to say, "I had a couple bad holes and those definitely--I don't want to say they shook me up, but I was definitely very aware of what was going on. Yeah, to be able to persevere through that was really special."
Jersey natives Aphrodite Deng and Megan Meng finished the 2024 Mizuho Americas Open in 13th and 22nd respectively. Deng finished the tournament with 133 points, while Meng finished 109 points.
The LPGA Tour takes a break this weekend before heading to Lancaster, Pa. for the U.S. Women's Open from May 30 to June 2. The LPGA then returns to the Garden State from June 7 to 10 for the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer in Galloway.
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