2024 Olympics: Nelly Korda, Rose Zhang love epic environment ladies’s golf

Spherical 1 of the ladies’s golf competitors for the 2024 Olympics is over. Nelly Korda and Rose Zhang each signed for even par 72.

Le Golf Nationwide examined them, however neither felt defeated about their performances regardless of sitting seven photographs behind the spherical one chief, Celine Boutier. The Frenchwoman fired off a 7-under 65 to set the tone and led by three.

Each Crew USA members had been shocked by the crowds and the unimaginable environment on the golf course.

“The environment was insane,” Korda mentioned. “I can’t even think about what it’s like inside Celine’s [Boutier] group. I’ve heard a few the roars, and it’s been such a tremendous expertise thus far.”

She defined that having a Solheim Cup at Le Golf Nationwide can be quite a lot of enjoyable. The venue hosted the 2018 Ryder Cup, and the crowds had been unimaginable then.

The 21-year-old phenom felt the identical and expressed how nice seeing extra folks supporting ladies’s golf was.

Photograph by Andrew Redington/Getty Photographs

“It’s good to have the crowds, and there’s a bit of extra gentle on ladies’s golf. That’s enjoyable, particularly with it being the Olympics,” Zhang defined. “The crowds have been wonderful it doesn’t matter what you do or what you shoot. They’re nonetheless cheering you on and cheering to your nation. It’s nonetheless very nice to have that assist.”

The Olympics typically entice large crowds. This version of the Video games, particularly since 2021, noticed COVID-19 limit every part. Patriotism is at its peak, however extra importantly, having these sorts of crowds for ladies’s golf is a big second for the game.

Korda expanded on the ladies’s progress and mentioned how surreal that first tee expertise was for her to see that many individuals there.

Photograph by EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP through Getty Photographs

“I noticed the crowds for the boys,” Korda defined. “To see the same crowds for the ladies is mind-blowing. I wasn’t certain what to anticipate strolling onto that first tee. Then I seemed out to the inexperienced, and I noticed like 4 folks deep. I advised Jason, ‘Oh my gosh, that is completely wonderful.’ I didn’t count on this many individuals to come back out.”

The 14-time LPGA winner has been an enormous element of rising the ladies’s recreation. It’s a product that continues to rise and attract folks. Seeing this on the Olympics sheds a lot gentle on how good these girls are.

Those that wish to watch Korda’s gold medal protection can tune in at 5:55 a.m. ET for Spherical 2 with Jin Younger Ko and Ruoning Yin. Zhang tees off with Charley Hull and Hannah Inexperienced at 5:44 a.m. ET.

Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. For extra golf protection, observe us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. You can too observe her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.