The 2025 Chevron Championship teed off under the scorching Texas sun at The Club at Carlton Woods, but the early leaderboard drama has centered on a surprising name—Nelly Korda, the defending champion and World No. 1. Korda entered the week as the favorite, riding the momentum of a dominant 2024 campaign. Her win at last year’s Chevron Championship—posted with four rounds in the 60s for a -13 finish—was part of a record-tying run of five straight LPGA victories. That win marked her second career major and cemented her place atop the women’s game. Much of that dominance was credited to a key equipment change: a switch from her trusty Scotty Cameron TourType Squareback 2 prototype to a TaylorMade Spider Tour X putter. The move paid immediate dividends as she surged to the top of the LPGA’s putting stats and captured her Chevron title in style.

But as the first round of the 2025 edition unfolded, the same flatstick that once sparked a winning streak has become the source of fan anxiety. While contenders like China’s Lin Yan and South Korea’s Hyo Joo Ryu lit up the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, both sitting at 6-under through 16 and 14 holes respectively, Korda was stuck searching for answers. Nelly Korda faced a challenging start to the 2025 Chevron Championship, carding a 4-over 40 on her opening nine at The Club at Carlton Woods. She bogeyed the par-4 10th and struggled to find her rhythm early in the round. She was visibly frustrated. Belgium’s Manon De Roey also made her mark at 4-under, proving that the low numbers were out there, just not for everyone.

Frustration mounts online as fans react to Korda’s shaky start

Fans on X (formerly Twitter) didn’t hold back their concern. Golf journalist Beth Ann Nichols noted Korda’s struggles: “Tough start to the year’s first major. She’s 4 over thru 12 in steamy Texas. Leaders are at 6 under.” One fan replied, “Putter is a big concern atm… not sure the change was the best idea.” Another reaction summed up the disbelief: “Nelly Korda 😭😭😭😭😭 #Chevron.” With four straight bogeys and recent changes to her putter, it’s clear Korda has work to do if she hopes to defend her title.

Then came the broader commentary, as fans and followers began to reflect on the pressure Korda is facing in 2025. “Seems expectations from last year are a heavy burden to carry,” one fan responded to Nichols’ post. “Both internally and from everyone else. Same with Scotty for the men… just hard to back up a career year.” Another added bluntly, “This kills the ratings,” capturing the disappointment many felt seeing one of the sport’s brightest stars stumble early.

Another post displayed sheer frustration: “Disappointing opening nine holes for World No. 1 and defending @LPGA @Chevron_Golf championship Nelly Korda. Lowlighted by 4 straight bogeys and a +3 total, only 2 shots out of last place.” Fans are continuing to point to a specific equipment change: “Rough start for Nelly. Four straight bogeys… with a couple of three putts. She recently went back to a blade putter. It’s not reaping the rewards she had hoped for thus far.”

Nelly Korda’s flatstick switch in 2024 turned heads for all the right reasons. After years of trusting the Scotty Cameron blade—a model with a green cover that became something of a signature—she embraced the more forgiving TaylorMade Spider Tour X. The result? An elite putting year and a Chevron crown. But in her 2025 title defense, that decision is being reexamined differently. Even with the rocky beginning, fans know better than to count Korda out. There’s still time for a rally, but her road back to contention just got a lot steeper.