Nelly Korda’s U.S. Open Opportunity, LPGA Barrier

Check out our writers and editors weekly unfiltered opinions when breaking down the sport’s hottest topics and join the conversation by tweeting on Twitter @golf_com. This week, we discussed Nelly Korda’s American woman’s open hope, Rory McIlroy’s decision to skip the memorial to debate who will be the next player to win the professional grand slam and others.

Two weeks ago, Scottie Scheffler won the PGA title to win the second leg of the professional Grand Slam, joining stars like Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Jon Rahm, and they were half of them (while Jordan Spieth and Phil Mickelson still have four three-quarters). Now that Rory McIlroy wins the Masters and wins his Grand Slam, who do you think will catch the epic feat?

@Joshsens’ senior writer Josh Sens: Scheffler is a Mile favorite. If he did this year, it wouldn’t be shocking.

@Jess_Marksbury Senior Editor Jessica Marksbury: Totally agree, Josh! Imagine that he won in Oakmont next month is not comfortable. The Open may be his biggest challenge in the four, as the weather and tee time depend on Tee Time, but it’s hard to imagine he won a game in the next few years.

Senior writer @dylan_dethier’s Dylan Dethier: I love the opportunity of Xander Schauffele. His public record of the United States is ridiculous. He has six top 7s in eight careers, never worse than the T14. He has finished the top 10 in the Masters in five of his last seven games and has two top 3s as well. Ironically, the two majors he won were the toughest. He will be the next Grand Slam champion.

McIlroy plays his first major since the Masters victory, without talking to journalists during his four rounds at the PGA Championship, and now the world’s second place is this week’s Memorial, Jack Nicklaus’s first autograph event since 2017. Did this move surprise you?

Sens: Nothing at all. He made it clear that at this point in his career he was all professional. Is it a tactical mistake to skip the memorial and risk collecting competitive rust? perhaps. But obviously, that’s how McIlroy thinks he can prepare for Oakmont.

Maxbury: I was a little surprised by the decision not to speak. Rory’s time in the media is usually very generous, so, that stretch is a little harsh. But it is still understandable. Skip the memorial, too. Given the pace of breakthroughs in the major championship season, coupled with all the iconic events, it’s hard to find a week of week. There is no doubt that Rory wants to rest and prepare as much as possible for the U.S. Open.

Desir: I think the simplest explanation for McIlroy is not about McIlroy, is that he doesn’t like it? But when you’re not doing well, it’s one thing to do that mid- and late stage. When he jumped out after the final round, I thought that was weird. He just won the Professional Grand Slam! He is the master champion! Ironically, I was more curious about the decision he skipped than anything- Is this some kind of information? – But because he didn’t speak, no one had the chance to ask him.

However, he was not surprised to skip the memorial. He is now a public loyalist at RBC, who loves playing the week before the Grand Slam, has been looking for fewer games, he has travelers after the U.S. Open, and crucially, he is looking for him. If McIlroy skips the first round of the FedEx Cup playoffs, it’s us real However, start listening to his schedule.

The U.S. Women’s Open will be held this week at Erin Hills, Wisconsin, which will be the biggest event since the 2017 U.S. Open (winned by Brooks Koepka). All eyes will be the highest ranked Nelly Korda, although she has missed three innings over the past five years and has only been in the top ten in this match. Why is there nothing clicked for her on the biggest stage of women’s golf? How do you think of her chances at Erin Hills this week?

Sens: I won’t do much of a relatively small statistical sample. Korda’s game makes her unsuitable for this special event. She also has two top 10 in the U.S. Women’s Open. It’s no secret that Corda has experienced some struggles in recent years, so some missed layoffs aren’t shocking. Fun game, golf. That’s it. She has obviously corrected the ship since then. This week, she is more likely to argue.

Maxbury: It’s easy to say, Josh. The game is fickle. Over the past few years, look at the ups and downs of Lydia Ko. Erin Hills seems to be perfect for Nelly, and after stopping in Mexico this week, I hope she can be ready for all the cylinders to be open.

Desir: You guys are all right, but if there is a hole in Korda’s resume, it is that she’s not doing well in the toughest tests of LPGA. I believe our Zephyr Melton studied this and found that when the winning score was 9 or better, all her stroke wins came out. It will be a nice week to keep the wheels on the track and fight for it. The course should be very good for her competition.

Aside from Korda’s search for the first win of the season, what’s your favorite storyline this week at Erin Hills?

Sens: Extreme bias here, but any major female major can watch Lydia Ko, the talent of a generation and one of the kindest people in the game. Enjoy her now because she said she doesn’t plan to stick with it for too long.

Maxbury: Lexi Thompson – Will be the 19th consecutive start for the opening of American women in her “walk-in” season. That’s incredible. Apparently, she is still looking for her career in professional golf. The victory of the U.S. Women’s Open – she endured a heartbreaking, near-turned-up title – would mean everything.

Desir: Jeeno Thitikul has been playing, just as she is ready to challenge Korda’s first ranking, she will win. Meanwhile, her trophy case lacks a major championship. This pursuit will be interesting.

Speaking of the LPGA Tour, Craig Kessler was announced last week as the 10th commissioner and arranged four “building blocks” he wanted to focus on on Thursday. What is his biggest challenge to move forward? If you’re Kessler, is that the first one on your to-do list?

Sens: The main challenge made me a kind of capture 22. Kessler’s pillars include enhancing the track’s financial future and showing off the biggest stars of the race. It’s hard to argue about these. But attracting more sponsors requires proof that these events are attracting a large audience. When television/media exposure is more limited than men, it is difficult to attract a large audience. This is an ancient narrative. Changing it is easier than saying it is harder to do. Of course, player personality is the key. We know people are attracted by stories and competition – they want to follow the arc of compelling performers. How do you get these stories considering the barriers – I don’t have an answer.

Maxbury: All the advantages, Josh. I would add that I am not against shortening the match code. Sometimes, the course length seems to be too much. What are the occasional problems with Bird Festival? The more these women shine, the better.

Desir: They are different versions of the same challenge for every professional golf league face: How do you make it fun? There are no simple answers, but the most interesting games are the most Meaning Events, they play in memorable courses, they involve large players, and TV shows help to enhance all of the above. As for Kessler’s role? He needs to think outside the box, he needs to be a hype guy. Excited to see how he solved the show.

Happy Memorial Day weekend! Where do you play?

Sens: Stop rubbing in. You know I’m on vacation. But I’m very excited about the next serving time. The new Poppy Ridge opens on May 31 in Livermore, California. Premium, medium-priced new construction is rare almost anywhere. Especially in the Golden State. Can’t wait.

Maxbury: I also have to wait until my next serving time after the holidays. But May is the start of my favorite time of the year in Arizona: the summer golf trade! For diehards who are willing to be brave in calories, the discount is deep. My local for the next few months was the Starfire Golf Club in Scottsdale, and every time I was in the middle of September, the $150 Summer Golf Pass for the Summer Golf Pass would charge me a $20 green fee.

Desir: I landed a few Tuesday Sunday interviews at the Memorial in Columbus, Ohio late Monday afternoon; so far west of the Eastern Time Zone that I could still have twilight rounds in my future.