Despite not having her ‘A-game’, Nelly Korda dominates again this week

In what is becoming routine (again), Nelly Korda holds a huge lead heading into the final round of an LPGA event. This time, it’s the 2026 Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba, where Korda has reached 14 under through three rounds.

That’s good enough for a three-stroke lead over her nearest challenger, Arpichaya Yubol.

Korda’s latest LPGA blitz comes just one week after her last. At the 2026 Chevron Championship, the first LPGA major of the year, Korda put together a five-stroke victory for her second Chevron title and the third major victory of his career.

Korda also saw the victory regained position no. 1 in the Rolex Women’s Golf World Ranking.

Nelly Korda on 3-shot lead: ‘You’ll never have your A-game’

This week, Korda has gone 68-67-67 in the first three rounds at El Camaleon Golf Course to build her advantage.

Despite her dominant performance so far, Korda surprisingly admitted she hasn’t had her “A-game” this week at her press conference on Saturday night.

“I feel good. I like to compete,” Korda said. “You’ll never have your A game.”

She elaborated on her point, explaining that even the greatest players have to find a way to win when their games aren’t in perfect shape.

“A lot of players, if you talk to them in the past, a common question, or I think a question that a lot of people have to ask is like, did you win with your A game? Did you win with your B game or your C game?” said Korda. “I’ve talked to guys, I’ve talked to girls, and they’ve rarely ever said, I won with my A-game that week. It’s all about just taking it easy and being confident enough to know you’re going to make mistakes, but not stressing them too much and trying to come back quickly.”

And Korda certainly did this season. Her Chevron title was her second of the year, following her first at the Hilton Grand Vacation Tournament of Champions. Although that victory was awarded when the tournament was called after 54 holes.

In her other three starts this season, Korda has finished runner-up. This record over five starts (1-2-2-T2-1) is extremely good. But Korda hasn’t been immune to a late slump when competing this year.

In the 2026 Fortinet Founders Cup, Korda tied for the lead with eight holes to play when a late three-putt shot doomed her chances of victory. In the 2026 Ford Championship, she saw her 36-hole bullet disappearresulting in another runner-up finish. She shot a 75 on Sunday at the Aramco Championship to finish T2.

Korda, however, is confident of her chances on Sunday in Mexico. As she said after the third round, she knows she will make mistakes, but experience has taught her how to expect and overcome them.

“Experience. Just not knowing it’s not the 18th hole, I don’t need to putt just to be smart. Also, I have a great caddy who does his homework, who walks the golf course, that’s how responsive the greens are, you just try to avoid mistakes as much as possible,” Korda said Saturday. “You’re going to hit a bad shot here and there and you’re going to find yourself in trouble, but trying to stay out of the holes gets you into trouble. I think that’s the goal and being aggressive on a good par-5 shot. It’s all about putting here because it’s a really tough golf course.”