SOUTH BEND, Ind., June 17, 2016 - In 2015, Brooke Henderson proved that age is just a number as she won the Four Winds Invitational by three shots at 17 years old. On Friday, Nelly Korda (Bradenton, Fla.), also 17, posted a 4-under 68 at the Four Winds Invitational at Blackthorn Golf Club to share the 18-hole lead with Augusta James (Bath, Ontario), who ranks tenth on the Volvik Race for the Card money list.

Korda, the younger sister of 4-time LPGA winner Jessica Korda, turned professional prior to the first event of the 2016 season and will aim for her first career win.

The former AJGA Rolex Junior All-American made five birdies, three bogeys and holed out for eagle from the bunker on the par-5 sixth.

“I think that is the first time I have ever holed out from a bunker so that was exciting,” said Korda. “I’m really happy with how I played, but I know I still have 36 holes left hopefully.”

Korda, who is finishing up her final year of high school, understands the obvious parallel to Henderson and hopes to equal her feat.

“It’s incredible what she is doing, I played junior golf with her and she is very, very nice,” said Korda. “I’m trying not to think about my age much, just taking everything day-by-day.”

Korda has played in seven of nine events this year and is looking for her first top 10 finish of the year. Her best finish is a tie for 18th at the IOA Championship in her debut. She ranks 62nd on the money list

“Professional life is really different, I have never played this many tournaments consecutively,” said Korda. “Just trying to get used to that is definitely key. I have to find what works for me and the best ways to practice. I’m just trying to go tournament-by-tournament, round-by-round and shot-by-shot.”

Korda, who has her dad Petr on the bag once again, talks to her sister frequently, but they don’t talk much about golf.

“Of course we say good luck to each other before every round, but when we are off the golf course we want to be off the course,” explained Korda. “I ask for a couple pointers here and there since she has a lot of experience and knowledge about everything.”

Korda qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open and will compete in mid-July in her second Open. She made the cut as a 14-year-old in 2013. Korda, who was the youngest in the Open in 2013 and is the youngest in the field this week, would be the seventh youngest winner in Tour history (she will be 17 years, 10 months and 22 days old on Sunday).

Scoring was difficult on Friday as only 15 players finished under-par.

JAMES COULD BE 3RD STRAIGHT CANADIAN TO WIN IN SOUTH BEND
Nicole Vandermade (Brantford, Ontario) won the 2014 Four Winds Invitational, Brooke Henderson (Smiths Falls, Ontario) won in 2015 and Augusta James (Bath, Ontario) has a share of the lead at 4-under 68.

“Brooke is inspiring every Canadian golfer from grassroots up to Epson Tour and LPGA,” said James. “It would be great to see three Canadian winners in a row.”

James, who had a rare missed cut last year at the Four Winds Invitational, made five birdies against just one bogey. She tallied three birdies in a four-hole stretch on her inward nine and made back-to-back birdies on 16 and 17 heading out.

“I rolled in a couple longer putts, which was great and unexpected,” said James. “My ball striking was good and consistent, I didn’t miss many greens as I only had to chip once.”

James has three top 10 finishes this year and seven top 20 finishes in nine starts.

The 23-year-old won the 2015 Chico’s Patty Berg Memorial.

NOTES

Former St. Joseph High School golfer Anna Wilcoxson carded a 10-over 82.
Monifa Sealy found out she got into the tournament off the alternate list at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday night and posted a 2-under 70 on Friday.
2016 winners Erica Popson (Epson Classic) and Jackie Stoelting (Fuccillo Kia Championship at Capital Hills) are both T3 at 2-under 70. Popson has now been under-par in six straight rounds.
No. 1 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list, Madelene Sagstrom, posted a 2-over 74. She made four bogeys and two birdies.
Former Notre Dame golfer Becca Huffer posted a 5-over 77.

17-Year-Old Nelly Korda Co-Leads with Canadian Augusta James at Four Winds Invitational

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