BRADENTON, Fla. - Clara Ding of White Rock, British Columbia, Canada, extends her lead at 3-under-par 141. The second round of The Nelly Invitational presented by Chevron ends with two girls within four shots of Ding.
Ding persisted through a tough round after a triple-bogey setback on the par-5 No. 13 and finished the round with 14 pars. She closed out the round on a high note with a birdie on the par-4 No. 9 and carded a 4-over-par 76 for the day. At No. 15 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, she heads into the final round with a one shot lead.
The class of 2029 graduate, won two AJGA events in 2024 including the RLX Ralph Lauren Classic. The Rolex Junior All-American is looking to improve upon her 14th place finish from the inaugural year.
"I wasn't playing great and I didn't really get anything going, but I did a good job of staying positive. Nelly is one of my idols and it was really special talking to her last night."
Following Ding, Honorine Nobuta Ferry of Flower Mound, Texas, sits at 2-under-par 142 with rounds 71-71. She fired four birdies in the second round to remain in second place. Nobuta Ferry has won two AJGA events and is currently ranked at No. 60 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings.
In third place, Gianna Clemente of Estero, Florida, is 1-over par 145 after rounds of 71 and 74. Clemente won the 2024 Mizuho Americas Open and is a five-time Rolex Junior All-American.
The Nelly Invitational presented by Chevron brings the top-ranked junior golfers in the world to compete at The Concession Golf Club for a 54-hole, stroke-play tournament. The 2025 event includes 12 of the top 25 girls of the Rolex AJGA Rankings.
Representatives from 12 foreign countries and 18 U.S. states are set to compete in the all-girls event. There are also 32 players who have committed verbally or with a National Letter of Intent to play college golf. The field consists of 44 past AJGA champions and 27 Rolex Junior All-Americans.
Nelly Korda, a standout LPGA player Tour player, AJGA alumna and Team TaylorMade athlete, will serve the tournament host for the second time. Korda joined the LPGA Tour in 2017 and has had 13 career victories, with five so far in 2024, including two majors at the 2021 KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the 2024 Chevron Championship.
The final round will continue on Sunday, May 4 with tee times from 8:00 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. off of No. 1 and No. 10.