Korda more respectful for game after health scare

Defending US PGA champion Nelly Korda arrives in Bethesda with a new perspective on retaining her title after three months out with a blood clot in her arm.

Having been forced to miss the first major of the year she returned for the Women's US Open earlier this month, where she finished joint eighth, and missed out on victory in a play-off at the Meijer LPGA Classic on Sunday.

"I’m just happy to be out here playing competitive golf," she said.

"I gave myself a chance last week. If you told me that when I was laying in the ER, I would have definitely been very happy with that.

"I think life is about perspective, and when you look at it a different way you have a lot more respect for the game, you’re a lot more humble about it too, and you just enjoy yourself a lot more.

"I think that goes a long way in golf because a lot of it is mental."

The prize fund for the event has doubled this year, up to $9 million with the winner earning $1.35m at Congressional Country Club.

And while that has been welcomed by the players the pursuit of a major remains the priority, especially for someone like world number three Minjee Lee who is looking for back-to-back success after winning the US Open, her second major in four events.

"Two majors in one season would be really, really special," said the Australian.

"Obviously, good play is going to result in maybe a win or contending, so I think I’m just going to focus on that.

"Obviously, it would be another dream come true if I did win.

"I think definitely after Evian (her major breakthrough last July) I felt a little less pressure, like a monkey off my back, but into the US Open and all the other majors I think I have a little more confidence playing in them."