Bradenton’s Nelly Korda makes U.S. Women’s Open field as alternate

Bradenton’s Nelly Korda is heading to the United States Women’s Open after all.

Korda attempted to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open last month at Bradenton Country Club, but finished one shot behind Naples’ Emma Bradley for the only qualifying berth awarded at the sectional qualifier on June 13.

On Monday, though, Korda was listed for the U.S. Women’s Open, which starts Thursday at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. She’s teeing off No. 10 at 2:42 p.m. for the first round. She is paired with Emily Childs, of Alameda, Calif., and amateur Rachel Heck, of Memphis, Tenn., in the final pairing Thursday. The group has the last tee time in the morning flight off hole No. 1 on Friday.

Korda, an LPGA rookie, was one of six players who were added to the field on Monday. Golfweek reported Korda received a phone call Monday afternoon to inform her about getting a spot in this week’s field. It was not known whether Korda was already in New Jersey when she received the call. Practice rounds for the U.S. Open continue Tuesday and Wednesday.

This will be Korda’s third U.S. Women’s Open. She finished tied for 59th last year at CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin, Calif. In 2013, at Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., she finished tied 64th.

At last month’s sectional qualifier, Korda secured the first alternate spot in a one-hole, sudden-death playoff against Seminole’s Alyssa Lamoureux. Korda birdied Bradenton Country Club’s ninth hole to win that spot.

Bradley, an amateur, tees off No. 10 at 6:45 a.m. — the day’s first pairing — in Thursday’s opening round. She has the first pairing in the afternoon flight off hole No. 1 on Friday, 12:30 p.m.

Korda’s older sister, Jessica, tees off No. 1 at 7:40 a.m. on Thursday. She is paired with Charley Hull, of England, and Alison Lee, of Valencia, Calif. The group is scheduled to tee off from hole No. 10 on Friday at 1:25 p.m.

This story was originally published July 10, 2017 at 8:26 PM with the headline "Bradenton’s Nelly Korda makes U.S. Women’s Open field as alternate."