Nelly Korda, the world's top-ranked player, had been on an impressive winning streak in the first half of 2024, with five consecutive victories from January to April. However, her recent performance leading up to the British Open has seen a dip in form, with three consecutive missed cuts, including two majors, and finishes outside the top 20 at the Evian Championship and the Olympic Games in Paris.
Despite these setbacks, Korda remains optimistic and views the challenges as learning opportunities to improve her game. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and not getting ahead of herself at this stage of her career.
Heading into the Women's Open at St. Andrews, known for its challenging conditions, Korda and other players are preparing to face strong winds and rain, with forecasts predicting gusts of over 30 mph on Thursday and Friday. The unpredictable weather is expected to test the resilience and adaptability of the competitors.
Stacy Lewis, the 2013 champion at St. Andrews, highlighted the mental aspect of the game, suggesting that a significant portion of the field may struggle to adjust to the adverse conditions. Korda echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need to stay present and embrace the creative aspects of golf amidst the challenges.
Defending champion Lilia Vu, who arrived at the tournament after battling illness following her participation in the Olympics, acknowledged the tough competition ahead for all players. Recent history has shown that British Open champions have faced difficulties in their title defenses since 2019.
As the players gear up for the prestigious event at the historic Old Course, they are bracing themselves for a demanding test of skill and resilience in one of golf's most iconic settings.
