Korda And Thitikul Co-Lead After Thrilling Second Round

CHANDLER, Ariz. — The 2025 Ford Championship is heating up as Nelly Korda and Jeeno Thitikul emerged as co-leaders after an impressive second round at Whirlwind Golf Club. Both players showcased their skills on a fast course, with Korda shooting a remarkable 7-under 65 and Thitikul not far behind with an 8-under 64, bringing their total scores to 12 under par.

Charley Hull set the tone for the tournament with a stunning first-round performance, carding a 9-under 63, which was the lowest round of her LPGA Tour career. Hull's bogey-free round included nine birdies and placed her one shot ahead of Denmark's Nanna Koerstz Madsen, who finished the first round at 8-under par.

"I kind of tweaked my driver at the beginning of the week and I really, really, really hit it well today," Hull said after her round. "I felt like that put me in a lot of good positions. I was hitting it good and felt confident. I just felt good out there." Hull's performance was particularly impressive as she hit all 18 greens in regulation, showcasing her precision and control throughout the round.

On Thursday, Korda made her return to competitive golf after a six-week break, finishing the first round with a solid 5-under 67. Despite her strong performance, she found herself tied for 17th place, four shots behind Hull. Korda acknowledged the nerves that come with returning to competition after a lengthy absence: "When you take that much time off and you come back into competition, you're rusty, [you feel] a lot more nerves," she explained.

The second round saw Korda and Thitikul continue to excel, both playing alongside Patty Tavatanakit, who also contributed to the group's positive energy. Thitikul, who started her round on the 10th tee, made the turn in a blistering 29, thanks to an opening birdie-birdie-eagle-birdie stretch. Although she slowed down on the back nine, her performance was enough to secure her position at the top of the leaderboard.

"Definitely. She's the No. 1 in the world, and one fact that is good is she's fast playing, which is good," Thitikul said of Korda. "She's always playing good, and then also like it's just keep me, like keep motivating me to play some good golf as well." Korda echoed similar sentiments about playing with Thitikul, stating, "Yeah, it was great. I think Patty actually said on the last hole, she was like, 'I love this group.' It was like a great tempo. We kept our rhythm really nicely. When everyone is playing nicely you kind of feed off each other as well."

As the tournament progresses, the excitement builds. Golf Channel will have live coverage of the Ford Championship, broadcasting from 7-9 p.m. ET on Friday and from 6-9 p.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday. Fans can expect more thrilling golf as Korda and Thitikul aim to maintain their momentum into the third round.

With the new pace-of-play rules in effect, this threesome managed to keep the flow of the game steady, ensuring they were never put on the clock. The atmosphere at Whirlwind Golf Club remains electric, with players eager to capitalize on the fast conditions and showcase their talents.

As the leaderboard tightens, the stakes get higher. Hull's early lead and Korda's determination to reclaim her title as defending champion set the stage for an exciting weekend of golf. Both players are not only competing for the championship but also for pride and recognition on the LPGA Tour.

As the tournament unfolds, fans will be watching closely to see if Hull can maintain her lead or if Korda and Thitikul can stage a comeback. The competitive spirit among these top players adds an extra layer of intrigue to the event, making it a must-watch for golf enthusiasts.

With the final rounds approaching, the pressure mounts. Will Charley Hull hold onto her lead, or will one of her competitors rise to the occasion? As always in golf, anything can happen, and the excitement is palpable as the 2025 Ford Championship heads into its final stretch.