Jessica Korda didn’t make her first birdie of round three at the Honda LPGA Thailand until sticking her approach on the 11th to three feet, but started to build a sizeable lead into the final round. Korda carded a 4-under, 68 on Saturday to get to 20-under, which ties the 54-hole tournament scoring mark, and leads by four.
After the birdie on 11, Korda found the range with the putter. She made a 10-foot par save on 12 and a 15-footer for birdie on 13. She then made birdies on both 14 and 15 to grow the lead.
“I had no expectations, but my coach and I have worked together and it is still there,” said Korda. “I was bit nervous on the front nine, but I knocked the rust off.”
After making zero birdies on the front nine, Korda made five on the back. She hit 13 of 14 fairways.
Korda is 18 holes from her fifth win on the LPGA and first since the 2015 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.
“It’s crazy how quick it is coming together,” said Korda. “I’m really enjoying it and now have one more day.”
Play was suspended due to lightning within four miles at 4:31 p.m. local time with the final group on the 18th tee. Play resumed at 5:01 p.m. Following the 30-minute delay, Korda made par on 18.
Moriya Jutanugarn is in solo second at 16-under while Minjee Lee charged late with birdies on 15, 16 and 17 to get into third at 15-under. Ariya Jutanugarn is in fourth place at 14-under while Lexi Thompson eagled 18 to move up to fifth at 13-under.
Moriya Jutanugarn Holes Out for Eagle on 14
The shot of the day was definitely Moriya Jutanugarn holing out for eagle on the par-4 14th hole. The ball took one bounce and then rolled from 4-feet right into the cup. The two moved her from 11-under to 13-under and solo second at the time.
Jutanugarn struggled early with three bogeys over her first five holes, but finished strong with seven birdies and an eagle over her final 13 holes.
She posted a 7-under, 65 to get to 16-under.
“I really enjoyed my game today, it’s working out pretty good,” said Moriya, who is looking for her first career win. “There is a lot of support and it feels nice having people cheering you on.”
Younger Korda Makes Serious Run
Nelly was the Korda to shine in round three with a 7-under, 65 to climb from T17 to a tie for sixth at 12-under. The round was highlighted by a string of five birdies in a six-hole stretch between seven and 12.
The sisters didn’t have dinner last night, both ordered room service, so Nelly didn’t get any advice from Jessica. She didn’t need it.
“She’s (Jessica) playing great golf and hopefully she keeps killing it,” said Nelly. “Hopefully I can make a run Sunday.”
The 19-year-old was bogey-free with eight birdies through 17 holes before an errant second on the par-5 18th led to a finishing bogey.
Nelly had five top 10 finishes in 2017 as a rookie and has one this season at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic.
Ariya Jutanugarn Eagles 18
Ariya Jutanugarn hit a stellar shot into the par-5 18th and made a 6-foot eagle putt to post a 7-under, 65 to get to 14-under. After sinking the eagle, she fist pumped and then bowed in appreciaton to the supportive Thailand crowd.
“It was great fun playing with Pornanong (Phatlum) and playing in front of all the Thailand fans,” said Ariya. “I had a really good start and made some putts. I had so much fun.”
The seven-time winner on the LPGA finished with three birdies and the eagle over her final four holes.
Both Jutanugarn’s have a chance to become the first Thailand players to win the Honda LPGA Thailand.
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