Nelly Korda ditches custom golf shoes LeBron James gifted her after slow start at US Women's Open

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LeBron James gifted Nelly Korda a custom pair of golf shoes for this week's U.S. Women's Open at Riviera Country Club, and while the World No. 1 gave the kicks a shot, they didn't appear to be up to her standards.

Korda's opening round on Thursday got off to a bit of an up-and-down start. Beginning on the back nine, Korda made par on the tricky par-4 10th hole and followed it up with a birdie on the 11th hole, but then carded back-to-back bogeys.

A detail of the footwear of Nelly Korda of the United States during a practice round prior to the U.S. Women's Open presented by Ally 2026 at Riviera Country Club on June 03, 2026 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) (Harry How/Getty Images)

After six holes and sitting at 1-over par in the early stages of the tournament, Korda was seen ditching her custom LeBron shoes and putting on her normal pair of Nike gamers.

Golf Channel's Amy Rodgers reported from Riviera shortly after the shoe swap that the LeBron shoes that Korda began her round with were "a little bit too loose" and may have been a culprit for "issues with her swing."

NELLY KORDA ROCKS USA SOCCER JERSEY ON COURSE AT US WOMEN'S OPEN, DELIVERS PATRIOTIC MESSAGE

A detail of the footwear of Nelly Korda of the United States during a practice round prior to the U.S. Women's Open presented by Ally 2026 at Riviera Country Club on June 03, 2026 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) (Harry How/Getty Images)

Korda's trainer, who was outside the