Seeking her fifth victory of the season, Ariya Jutanugarn will take a two shot lead into the final round of the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.
“I keep the eye on me. I’m not really care like who the leader is, like what I say yesterday. I really want to play my game and be happy on the course,” Jutanugarn said. “After I won my first tournament, I kind of know how I play under pressure, so I know when I get really excited what I have to do.”
Despite making bogeys on two of her final three holes, Jutanugarn finished her day at 5-under, 67, to get to 17-under for the event.
“Feeling good,” Jutanugarn said of her play after the round. “I mean, I had two bogeys the last three holes, but I still shot 5-under, so it’s still good.”
Trying to overtake Jutanugarn from the final group will be 2015 U.S. Women’s Open Champion In Gee Chun, who sits at 15-under, and five-time LPGA winner Sei Young Kim who is at 12-under.
“Tomorrow I’m going to just focus on my game against the golf course and see where I am later,” Chun said.
Chasing down Jutanugarn will be easier said than done as the 20-year-old has won each of the past four events where she has slept on the 54-hole lead. Below are Jutanugarn’s results when leading after three rounds:
2016 RICOH Women’s British Open Win
2016 Volvik Championship Win
2016 Kingsmill Championship Win
2016 Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic Win
2015 ISPS Handa Australian Open 3rd
2013 Honda LPGA Thailand 2nd
ALL EYES ON HENDERSON
Rolex Rankings No. 3 Brooke Henderson is used to a big following wherever she plays, and as the highest ranked Canadian player in the world she expected a large crowd this week. More and more people will continue to flock to watch the 18-year-old who is now a three-time LPGA winner and major champion.
“Probably the biggest crowds that I’ve ever played in front of and definitely the most in favor for me,” Henderson said of playing in Calgary this week. “It’s definitely a lot of fun to play in front of, and I’ve been really enjoying it.”
The Smith Falls, Ontario native has posted back-to-back rounds of 68 after opening with an even par 72, and currently sits in a tie for 21st at 8-under par. She is tied with Lydia Ko for the most top-10 finishes in 2016; a top-10 this week would be her twelfth of the year in 22 starts.
SHARP PLAY
The low Canadian through three rounds of play at the CP Women’s Open is Alena Sharp (-11). At 35-years-old, Sharp is still searching for her first career victory (Best finish: T5, 2015 Blue Bay LPGA).
Her play of late has also been “sharp,” as she has made the cut in each of her last seven starts and finished no worse than T54. That stretch includes three top-13 finishes and her lone top-10 of the season (T8, Walmart NW Arkansas Championship).
“Playing really well, and it’s like, okay, now it’s not a shock, this is where I am right now, and I’m riding my momentum and riding the confidence wave because I’ve definitely been on the other end of it before, and it’s nice to be playing with no stress and really enjoying playing golf again.”
CP HAS HEART
CP Birdies for Heart has returned for 2016. This week at Priddis, CP will donate $5,000 for every birdie made by a player on the 18th hole during tournament play. Through the second round of play, CP Birdies for Heart has raised $430,000 thanks to 86 birdies.
The Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation is the official charity beneficiary of the 2016 CP Women’s Open. All funds raised through the tournament will support pediatric cardiac care and research at the Hospital.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
4/9 - Ariya Jutanugarn has won four of the past nine events on the LPGA Tour. Additionally, in that stretch, Jutanugarn has a third place finish and a loss in a playoff
2 - Two holes in ones were recorded during the third round of the CP Women’s Open - Ayako Uehara aced the par-3 11th with a 31-degree hybrid from 158 yards while M.J. Hur carded hers on the par-3 8th from 144 yards with a pitching wedge
QUOTES OF THE DAY
“You know, I’ve just got to play my own game. I think I need to be a little bit aggressive. I feel like my game plan isn’t the thing that’s letting me down a little bit. It’s just those few putts that lip out go in. Those are three, four shots straight away. Just got to trust it. There’s still a lot of golf to be played, and who knows what’s going to happen.” -Lydia Ko on her approach going into Sunday
“U.S. Open was obviously my first time that I was really up there, and I handled that really well, and I know I can handle that pressure. I think that’s what I work for, and I kind of thrive on it. It’s a great position to be in, and there’s no point in being scared, you’re just here, and it’s fun.” -Stephanie Meadow on playing in the penultimate group and handling the pressure
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