IN SEARCH OF A FIRST

It is no surprise that Inbee Park has racked up 15 wins as an LPGA professional, but for some reason she has never been able to do it here. Park has played in Toledo five times in the past and has finished in the top three once.

“Yeah, I said earlier in the week I haven’t won this week, so it’s a challenge,” Park said. “I haven’t played that well on this golf course, so this is probably the best yet.”

Despite the odds Park feels pretty confident about her game and what she needs to do tomorrow. She is very familiar with Q Baek and Ha Na Jang’s game since they are some of her closest friends on Tour and knows what each is capable of.

“They definitely know how to win,” Park said. “I mean, they won a few times on the Korean tour, so they definitely know what the contention feels like. Yeah, it’s going to really depend on my putting condition tomorrow. If I can make some putts tomorrow.”

SOLHEIM CUP PITCH

Brittany Lang took on a different sport Friday night as she threw the first pitch out for the Toledo Mud Hens, a triple A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Lang used her experience playing about every sport growing up and practiced with her brother a bit to perfect her pitch.

“Of course I threw a strike,” Lang said with a laugh. “It was a little high. They told me to make sure I get over the plate, so it was definitely high.”

The Mud Hens must have given Lang good vibes because she finished her round Saturday with two birdies to shoot 5-under par. and climb to within three shots of the lead at 8-under-par.

It seems like a bit of the motivation for Lang’s good play stem from the hope of a Solheim Cup pick from Captain Juli Inkster. Players like Lang know the feeling of being on a Solheim Cup team and are eager to make the team once again.

“But the Solheim Cup is very important. It’s the most fun you’ll have ever,” Lang said. “I just know if I focus on what I’m doing out there, it’ll take care of itself. Juli knows what she’s getting with me. Not doing anything special. Just trying to play good.”

A WIN FOR DAD’S RETIREMENT

“It all comes down to putting” has been a popular refrain from players at the Marathon Classic Presented by Owens Corning and O-I.

Putting was all the difference in Chella Choi’s game Saturday. Choi made eight birdies in her round today to finish with a six-under 65 to card the lowest score of the day.

“Actually, my shot is good, but I don’t make that much putts,” said Choi. “So just one birdie on No. 17 Thursday. But yesterday and today my shots really good and made more putts.”

Choi’s good play today puts her closer to her first win on the LPGA tour, which will in turn allow her father to retire as her caddie - a gig he’s been hoping to give up for eight years. But he won’t give it up until he sees his daughter win on the LPGA Tour, and she’s hoping that day is Sunday.

“I’m at seven years this year on LPGA Tour. We work together eight years, so one year Epson Tour and seven year LPGA,” Choi said. “So I hopefully tomorrow I’ll have a chance again, so I try to do my best.”

FIVE LOCK UP SPOTS IN THE RICOH WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN

Sarah Kemp, Dewi Claire Schreefel, Alena Sharp, Jenny Suh and Jaye Marie Green each penciled in tee times at the RICOH Women’s British Open Saturday as the top 36-hole finishers of the group that wasn’t already into the British.

TWO IS HARD TO DO

Austin Ernst has had some really good stretches this year but she admitted it’s been an up-and-down year. In her 16 starts this year she has had a one top-five finish at the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer, and a tie for sixth finish at the JTBC Founders Cup.

“Yeah, it has,” said Ernst. “Missed a few cuts. Had a few top 5s, top 6s. Yeah, it’s been up and down, but it’s trending in the right direction. I feel like my game is getting better as the year has gone on, which is a good sign, because we got a lot of golf left. So I’m excited about the rest of the year.”

Ernst also has reason to be excited for tomorrow because she has been in this position before. Last year, Ernst played with Lydia Ko in the final round when Lydia Ko won.

“She was chasing and then I didn’t play great those first few holes and kind of got behind. I saw what she did last year,” Ernst said. “Obviously she played a really solid round. She didn’t do anything spectacular. She just kind of plodded her way around. So I’m excited. Hopefully I can be in contention on the back nine tomorrow."

Ersnt will play Sunday with Ko and Park in the second to last pairing to take a shot at the defending champ’s title.

FIGHTING THROUGH FATIGUE

Stacy Lewis might have been the only player on the golf course that actually breathed a sigh of relief when the horn rang out signaling a delay Saturday. Lewis wasn’t feeling her game and needed a nap and a regrouping after back-to-back bogeys to close the front nine.

“Yeah, I was excited about the delay. I think most people weren’t, but it was a much-needed delay,” Lewis said. “I could get a little bit of rest, get some food in me, and felt a lot better coming out there at the end.”

She did pull it back together when they were brought back on the course nearly two hours later, draining birdies at two of her last three to post 5-under-par in the clubhouse, six shots back of the lead.

Lewis said she’s just been feeling sluggish all week and so has her game. Every time it feels like she’s coming around this week, she’s had a set back and hasn’t been able to find quality shots on a consistent basis.

“It’s close,” Lewis said. “There are swings that you make you think, ‘oh, you’re there,’ and then you hit the next one and it’s not there. I think a lot of that is fatigue at this point. So get rested up – finish up good tomorrow and then get ready for the British.”

NUMBERS TO KNOW

1 - Q Baek won her first career LPGA start and is looking for her second career win this week.

2 - Lydia Ko is looking to defend her title at her second tournament of the year here in Toledo and she also trailed by two shots entering the final round a year ago when she won.

9 - Lydia Ko was also at 9-under-par through three rounds last year heading into the final round.

119 - Play was suspended for 119 minutes on Saturday from 1:51 PM - 3:50 PM.

News and Notes: Round Three Marathon Classic

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