KORDA vs. THITIKUL: EPIC Desert Clash Sets Up FORD CHAMPIONSHIP Showdown

The Ford Championship promised star power with the top-two players in the world teeing it up in Arizona, and through two rounds at Seville Golf & Country Club, Nelly Korda and Atthaya “Jeeno” Thitikul are not just living up to expectations — they’re making sure the rest of the LPGA field knows exactly who’s running things right now.

Jeeno Came Out Swinging
Let’s start with Jeeno. The 22-year-old from Thailand showed zero intention of cooling off from her torrid stretch of golf since last summer. She lit up her front nine Friday with a 7-under 29 and coasted in for another round that kept her right near the top of the board. This isn’t a hot streak anymore — this is just who she is now.

Jeeno has become the LPGA’s metronome: every week, it’s a top-10 finish. Two wins, 10 top-10s in her last 13 starts, and she’s treating every event like it’s her personal showcase. Her iron play? Sharp. Her putting stroke? Smooth. And her demeanor? Ice cold. She’s not just trying to win — she’s trying to let you know it’s inevitable.

Nelly Korda Returns Like She Never Left
As for Nelly Korda, this is the first we’ve seen of her since she took a few weeks off, and in typical Nelly fashion, she walked in like she owned the place. This is a woman who makes golf look effortless when she’s locked in — and right now, she’s locked in.

Nelly Korda is defending her title this week and has a history of playing her best golf when she comes in fresh. On Friday, she matched Jeeno shot for shot, rolling in birdies like she never left. While the rest of the field is scrambling to keep up, Korda is doing what great players do: playing her own game and slowly turning up the heat.

Desert Duel Incoming
With Charley Hull setting the early pace after a blistering 63 on Thursday — a round she said could’ve been a 59 — the pressure was on. And yet it didn’t seem to faze either Korda or Thitikul. This is what the LPGA needs more of: stars at the top, trading haymakers. It’s good for the fans, great for the tour, and a reminder that women’s golf is absolutely loaded at the top.