Miami (AFP) – Thailand’s top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul surged to a six-stroke lead after Saturday’s third round of the season-ending LPGA Tour Championship, firing an eight-under-par 64. Defending champion Jeeno overcame a bogey-birdie start by reeling off three birdies in a row on the front nine and four in a row on the back nine, finishing 54 holes on a tournament-record 22-under 194 at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida.
“It has been pretty good,” Jeeno said of her mindset in the third round. “I was just trying to focus on myself and trying to make birdies and birdies and birdies because I know there’s a bunch of players who will be able to make some more birdies.” The 22-year-old Asian star is aiming to win the richest tournament in women’s golf for a second straight year, with the winner receiving a $4 million top prize from an $11 million purse. Jeeno is also fighting for the season money title, the Vare Trophy for low-season scoring average, and the LPGA Player of the Year award.
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World number two Nelly Korda of the United States, still seeking her first victory of the year, shared second on 200 with Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn after both shot 65 on Saturday. “It was good. Probably left a few out there but overall I’m very satisfied,” Korda said after her bogey-free round. “Just going to stick to my process, focus on myself, not really focus on what others are doing. It’s going to take a low one. It always takes a low one out here. I’m going to focus on being present.”
Jeeno, who led by three strokes when the day began, shook off her start with birdies at the par-four fourth, par-three fifth, and par-five sixth holes. She found the magic again with a birdie run from the 11th to par-five 15th holes and added another at the par-five 17th, with a closing par completing her sixth round of 64 or lower this season. “Every day we face different situations,” Jeeno said. “I think this is another situation that can help me (achieve my) goals in my golf career. So, I’m happy to be able to face it because that means it’s a good sign. We’ll see.”
Pajaree, the final qualifier in the field of 60, had an eagle and six birdies against a lone bogey, with her eagle at the sixth helping leap her into contention. “It was 27, 28 yards to the pin and little chip shot,” Pajaree said. “It was a good lie from there. It wasn’t too tight. The grain was OK and then I think it was just a great shot.”
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