Nelly Korda, the reigning champion of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, suffered an injury during her practice round on Monday at Fields Ranch East in Frisco, Texas. The world number one revealed that she experienced a neck spasm after attempting to advance a shot from the rough, which required her to apply kinesiology tape for support. Although Korda did not specify the hole where the incident occurred, she noted the pain was substantial enough to cause her to miss the champion’s dinner that evening.
Reflecting on her condition, Korda stated, “It’s getting better, but yeah, it was not very good yesterday.” This neck injury follows previous issues she encountered at the end of last season, making her particularly cautious about any flare-ups. Korda travels with a full-time physiotherapist, Kim Baughman, with whom she undergoes rigorous training six days a week to facilitate her recovery and injury management. She is optimistic about competing this Thursday, with her tee time scheduled for 9:28 AM EDT.
Korda is not alone in her concerns regarding the challenging conditions at Fields Ranch East. Fellow competitors Jenny Shin and Jeeno Thitikul have also voiced difficulties with the thick rough. Thitikul remarked on the rough’s unpredictability, contrasting it with that of other major tournaments.
Kerry Haigh, the PGA of America’s chief championship officer, reported that the rough is expected to be around 2.5 inches tall during the championship. Such conditions pose an additional challenge for players, especially with forecasts predicting blistering temperatures in the mid-90s and strong wind gusts throughout the event. Given that the course opened in 2022 and lacks mature trees for shade, Haigh mentioned the arrangement of tents with misting stations to help fans stay cool during the hot days of the tournament.
This championship promises to be a test of skill and endurance, as competitors navigate not only the demanding course but also the challenging weather conditions. The excitement among players and fans alike serves as a testament to the resilience and athleticism present within women’s golf.