Nelly Korda, fresh off a trip to Prague that apparently involved a serious commitment to Czech pastries and a trip down memory lane, is now facing down Dundonald Links. Her Scotch integration seems to be going swimmingly, aside from a brief, and frankly, glorious admission about her driving. "Parking not very good," she confessed. You just know she’s navigating the Scottish countryside with the same laser focus she brings to a birdie putt, though probably with a few more unintentional scenic detours than the GPS suggested. Everything else, though? "Great." That’s practically a rave review from Nelly, a woman who can usually spot a wobbly approach shot from the car park.
She’s joined in the marquee grouping by England’s own Charley Hull and the defending champ, Lottie Woad. This trio, set to blast off early Thursday, is promising some seriously compelling golf. Hull, who’s admitted a historical beef with the sheer capriciousness of links golf – a sentiment I think most of us can get behind after a particularly stubborn bounce off a rogue sheep – is going for a mental makeover. She’s decided links golf needs to learn to suit her. It’s a bold strategy, and frankly, I’m here for it. Why should the ancient game bend to tradition when tradition can bend to pure talent?
Then there's Woad, whose maiden pro win here last year was so magnificent it basically bought her playing privileges through 2027. She’s now got a newfound appreciation for that first big victory, having actually lived the life of a consistent tour player. This week, she’s been soaking up the history, recently hitting up Royal Lytham & St. Annes, the upcoming Women’s British Open venue. Apparently, watching the lads go at it was so intense, she admitted, it was “hard to actually see the shots.” That’s a familiar struggle for anyone who’s ever tried to track a precise drive from the cheap seats, let alone while simultaneously dodging cannonballs.
So, Korda’s looking to shake off a rare missed cut, Woad’s aiming to keep her shiny trophy from wandering off, and Hull’s apparently ready to make links golf her plaything. Dundonald itself is reportedly playing firmer this year, which is just the ticket for athletes who live and breathe precision. While some tours are busy having existential crises over the acceptability of trousers, the LPGA is out here serving up actual golf, with real drama, at the highest level. It’s almost as if people want to see athletic brilliance and smart play. Who knew?