A one-stroke lead at the turn quickly turned into five for Brooke Henderson on Saturday.
The 36-hole leader got off to a hot start, making birdie on her first two holes to extend her lead to two. The 17-year-old stayed aggressive, adding four more birdies en route to a bogey free 7-under par 65 to take a five-stroke lead heading into the final round at 18-under par, tying the 54-hole scoring record at the Cambia Portland Classic.
“I know it's long from over and there's a lot of great players behind me,” Henderson said. “I saw a ‑9 on the board and a couple ‑7’s, so it's definitely doable on this golf course, so I know I'll have to put a solid round in.”
Henderson held the 54-hole lead at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic earlier this season where she ultimately finished third. She was grouped in the final round with her idol, Morgan Pressel who she will also be paired with in Sunday’s final round. Pressel carded a 7-under par 65 to climb to solo second at 13-under par, five-strokes back of the lead.
“Brooke is a great player,” said Pressel. “To Monday qualify and obviously be playing this well, she knows what's at stake for her. She wants to get on Tour without having to go to Q‑school, and she's certainly putting herself in a great position to do that, and I would love to play together again tomorrow. She's a great girl, and she has a lot of potential for sure.”
Henderson is a member of the Epson Tour and won an event already this year, but she’s hoping to play her way onto the LPGA Tour full time by way of a top-40 finish on the money list. She’s currently projected at 20th.
Sandra Gal and Caroline Masson are tied for third at 12-under par. Jaye Marie Green started the day at even par and carded the low round of the day with a 9-under par 63.
)
)
)
)
