World Number One Nelly Korda Tees Off Alongside Hataoka and Hull at AIG Women’s Open

Gold medalist Nelly Korda of the United States bites her medal on the podium during the victory ceremony of the women's golf individual stroke play during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan, on Aug. 7, 2021. Toby Melville/Reuters

World number one Nelly Korda will begin her quest for a second major title alongside Japan’s Nasa Hataoka and England’s Charley Hull in the opening two rounds of the AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie, Scotland, this week.

The 23-year-old American, who claimed gold at the Tokyo Olympics earlier this month, is aiming to win her second major this year, following her triumph at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June.

Korda will tee off at 8:09 a.m. on Thursday (0709 GMT), while defending champion Sophia Popov will take the course at 12:05 p.m. (1105 GMT) in a marquee group that also includes Sei Young Kim and Jessica Korda.

Nasa Hataoka of Japan in action at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan, on Aug. 7, 2021. Toby Melville/Reuters

A trio of major winners are in the 7:47 a.m. (0647 GMT) slot for the first round, Danielle Kang joined by Patty Tavatanakit and Alim Kim, while Lydia Ko goes off at 7:58 a.m. (0658 GMT) alongside Ayaka Furue and Jennifer Kupcho.

The R&A has said that up to 8,000 fans per day will be allowed to attend the tournament at Carnoustie, following approval from the Scottish government.

By Dhruv Munjal