In a stunning turn of events at the Chevron Championship, Nelly Korda, the defending champion, saw her hopes of retaining the title slip away after a series of uncharacteristic mistakes. The world number one was on track to continue her dominance in the tournament, but two back-to-back double bogeys shattered her chances and left her trailing behind the leaders.

The pressure was mounting for Korda as she approached the latter part of the competition. Coming off a strong start, she seemed poised to defend her title successfully. However, the golf course, known for its challenging layout and demanding conditions, seemed to get the better of her on the crucial holes. It was on the 13th and 14th holes that disaster struck.

On the 13th, Korda found herself in a tricky situation with an errant tee shot that placed her in the rough. Her second shot was equally off, leading to a double bogey that immediately put her in a precarious position. The frustration was evident as she tried to regain her composure. However, her struggles didn’t end there. On the very next hole, the 14th, Korda again found herself battling the course, making another double bogey that all but sealed her fate.

These two consecutive double bogeys were particularly shocking given Korda’s usual consistency and calm under pressure. Known for her precision and mental fortitude, it was hard to believe that the same player who had dominated the field just one year ago could succumb to such a meltdown. The fans, both on-site and watching from home, couldn’t believe what they were witnessing as the defending champion’s dreams of another Chevron victory began to slip away.

As the round continued, it was clear that Korda’s chances of making a recovery were slim. The damage was done, and despite her best efforts, she could not claw her way back into contention. By the end of the round, she had dropped out of the top positions, leaving her with a disappointing finish that no one expected.

While Korda’s performance in this tournament was far from what she had hoped for, she remains one of the best players in women’s golf. The two double bogeys do not define her career, but they serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sport. Even the best players can have off days, and it’s the nature of golf that a single mistake can undo a tournament run in the blink of an eye.

Despite the setback, Korda remains focused on the rest of the season, determined to bounce back and put this experience behind her. She knows that in golf, the next tournament is always just around the corner, and with her talent and resilience, she will undoubtedly have more opportunities to prove herself on the biggest stages. For now, the Chevron Championship will be remembered as the one that got away, but Korda’s journey is far from over.