The LPGA Tour’s return to American soil has brought exactly the fireworks we hoped for, with World No. 1 Nelly Korda and rising star Jeeno Thitikul tied atop the Ford Championship leaderboard at 12-under par. This dream pairing at Whirlwind Golf Club’s Cattail Course sets up a weekend showdown between tour dominance and youthful brilliance.

Korda’s Relentless Pursuit of History

The LPGA Tour’s return to American soil has brought exactly the fireworks we hoped for, with World No. 1 Nelly Korda and rising star Jeeno Thitikul tied atop the Ford Championship leaderboard at 12-under par. This dream pairing at Whirlwind Golf Club’s Cattail Course sets up a weekend showdown between tour dominance and youthful brilliance.

The statistics are ominous for Korda’s competitors:

• The last three times she posted back-to-back rounds of 67 or lower, she won the tournament
• She’s gained nearly 8 strokes on the field through two rounds
• Her putting (1.72 strokes gained) matches her elite ball-striking

Yet true to form, Korda remains characteristically grounded: “Golf always humbles you,” she reminded reporters. “The competition gets better every year—everyone’s smarter with their bodies, their games.”

Thitikul’s Coming-of-Age Moment

The 21-year-old Thai sensation has been the tour’s most consistent force in early 2025, and her second-round 65 showcased why. Thitikul’s surgical precision (hitting 16/18 greens Friday) complements Korda’s power game perfectly. With two worldwide wins already this season, including an LET victory, she appears ready for her breakout LPGA moment.

Leaderboard Highlights

• T1. Nelly Korda, Jeeno Thitikul (-12)
• 3. Lydia Ko (-10)
• T4. Brooke Henderson, Angel Yin (-9)
• T6. Lexi Thompson, Rose Zhang (-8)

The weekend promises fireworks with:

• Lydia Ko (-10) LPGA Hall of Fame qualified
• Lexi Thompson (-8) proving retirement rumors premature
• Rose Zhang (-8) balancing Stanford finals with Tour success

Course Notes

Whirlwind’s Cattail Course has yielded low scores (23 players at -6 or better) but punished wayward drives. With weekend winds forecast at 15-20 mph, the blend of risk and reward could reshuffle the leaderboard dramatically.

Korda seeks to replicate her 2024 Ford Championship win where her final-round 65 sealed victory. For Thitikul, this represents a chance to dethrone the queen on her home turf. One thing’s certain—the Arizona desert is about to witness an unforgettable duel.

Coverage continues Saturday on Golf Channel from 3-6 PM ET.