Bradenton’s Korda, Neville in hunt for U.S. Women’s Open berth

A pair of Bradenton golfers are in the running to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open, with LPGA rookie Nelly Korda and third-year pro Jennifer Neville just one stroke behind the leaders in Monday’s 36-hole sectional qualifying tournament that was postponed late due to inclement weather.

Korda and Neville each shot a round of 73 for the first 18 holes of the USGA women’s qualifier, and both are among the golfers that will resume play at 8 a.m. today. Emma Bradley of Naples and Perrine Delacour of Orlando shared the 18-hole lead at 1-over par 72.

Scores for the in-progress second round were not available.

Only 12 golfers are coming back to Bradenton Country Club to continue this morning, according to USGA representative Darin Green. Some have as few as three holes to play while others need five holes to finish up.

The winner of the sectional earns a trip to the U.S. Women’s Open next month at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. The second- and third-place finishers will be alternates. Korda won last year’s sectional qualifier at Bradenton Country Club.

On a day that had been mostly overcast, thunderstorms and lightning forced players out on the course to run for cover shortly after 5 p.m. Not long afterward, some withdrew from the competition as it did not appear that the poor weather conditions would relent any time soon.

“We don’t want anyone hurt,” head golf pro Brian Lake said during the first hour of suspended play. “We’ll wait till it’s safe, then we’ll try again. It’s a lot of radar-watching now.”

After more than two hours, Green called the players and others into the clubhouse to inform them of the tourney’s postponement until Tuesday morning. Some golfers departed and did not plan to come back.

“That (storm) system built up right on top of us,” Green said at 7:20 p.m. “We tried to do everything in our power to get done (Monday). Unfortunately, it’s just to dangerous to go out (on the course).”

A handful of USGA officials collected scorecards from the players, who were told to come back to the country club at 7:30 a.m. before teeing off or hitting the ball where they picked it up last. Green said markers for balls would be picked up for mowing and blue spots would be spray-painted in their place.

Among the returners, Neville said she would have to carry her own bag for the remaining three holes since her caddie would not be able to return due to work obligations. No problem for the 25-year-old, who works out to stay in shape.

“I do think you need to enhance your muscles for movement and good balance,” said Neville, who has a personal trainer.

Neville, who has come within a few strokes of qualifying in the previous two opens at the Brandenton Country Club, relishes playing on what she labeled “my home course.” It has been since she was 9 and walked across the street from her family’s home to play with her father, Johnny Neville.

“This is just home for me, so it’s always nice to come play here,” said Neville, who also golfs out of Avila in northern Hillsborough County.

Neville, a 2009 Manatee High graduate who played at St. John’s in New York, would like nothing better than to take the next step in her career by winning today’s title. Nonetheless, she appreciates where she is at this stage.

“I play for a living, but golf is what I do for fun,” she said.

This story was originally published June 12, 2017 at 9:47 PM with the headline "Bradenton’s Korda, Neville in hunt for U.S. Women’s Open berth."