While Sebastian Korda enjoys career week at French Open, sisters Nelly and Jessica roll at ShopRite LPGA Classic
Sisters Nelly Korda and Jessica Korda shot matching 68s in the opening round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic and will now turn their attention to younger brother Sebastian, who has advanced to the third round of the French Open.
Sebastian, a qualifier in Paris who made his Grand Slam debut this summer at the U.S. Open, takes on Pedro Martinez Friday at 6:30 a.m. ET.
“Honestly, it’s been awesome,” said Nelly. “Jess and I have been waking up early for every single one of his matches.”
Sebastian, 20, earned his first career tour level match victory at Roland Garros, matching his father’s feat at the same venue in 1988 at the same age. Sebastian, known as Sebi, became the youngest American to reach the third round in Paris since 18-year-old Andy Roddick in 2001.
ShopRite LPGA Classic: Leaderboard | Five things to know
His father, Petr, also won his first Grand Slam match at @rolandgarros in 1988 at the age of 20.
4 years later, he was in the final with Jim Courier.#RG20 pic.twitter.com/47k9i10SSP
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 30, 2020
“I’m over the moon,” the 213th-ranked Sebastian told the Herald Tribune after defeating veteran John Isner in the second round.
Both Nelly and Jessica are gearing up for their own major, with the KPMG Women’s PGA scheduled for next week just outside Philadelphia. Their parents didn’t travel to France, planning instead to attend the KPMG.
“But little did we know we can’t have guests,” said Nelly of next week’s COVID-19 restrictions. It was the same policy for the year’s first major at Royal Troon back in August.
Nelly started out with bogeys on three of the first hour holes Thursday but turned things around with a hole-out for eagle on the eighth hole followed by a birdie. She played the last 14 holes in 6 under.
“Coming from Florida, I’m not used (Poa annua), said Nelly. “I have a lot of wedges in and I have to play for a longer shot because it just rips back with spin. Like honestly, on one hole I had 20 yard of rip-back.”
Nelly, currently No. 2 in the world, came close to winning her first major title last month at the ANA Inspiration, where she lost in a playoff to Mirim Lee.
When asked if the family text thread is getting a lot of action this week watching Sebi’s career week, Nelly smiled.
“Oh yeah,” she said, “it’s a lot of LFG, LFG, LFG.”
