Carlota Ciganda has been having a renaissance of sorts in 2022 and that trend has continued at the Amundi Evian Championship. Through 54 holes, the Spaniard sits in a tie for fourth at -12 with Korea’s Sei Young Kim after carding three consecutive 67s, the most recent of which saw her hit seven of 13 fairways and 13 of 18 greens. Ciganda hasn’t won on the LPGA Tour since 2016 – she took home the Citibanamex Lorena Ochoa Invitational in November that year – and although she’s five shots back of leader Brooke Henderson, she still thinks she’s got a chance on Sunday in France.
“I think 4-under, no bogeys, that's always a great round. I would have liked to make a couple more birdies at the end with the two par-5s, but I made some good saves,” said Ciganda who was two for three in sand saves. “I didn't take advantage today of par-5s. But no bogeys, great shots, made some good shots on the par-3s, and I think it's good. (Brooke) has been playing really good the first two days. I think I have a chance tomorrow if I keep playing the same. Hopefully, I can have a good round and be up there.”
This is Ciganda’s ninth time playing the Evian since it became a major in 2013 and her best finish is a solo 10th in 2019. The 32-year-old has two top-five finishes so far this season, a solo fifth at the Cognizant Founders Cup and a tie for fifth at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, and won in her home country two weeks ago on the Ladies European Tour, capturing the Estrella Damm Ladies Open for the second time. By anyone’s measure, it’s been a solid season for the Tour veteran, and as she looks to go low in tomorrow’s final round, Ciganda will do her best to stay patient and wait for the putts to fall, a challenge considering the undulating, slopey greens.
“I think it's a tricky course. I don't think it's easy to make putts here,” she said. “I was just trying to be patient out there. I'm playing good so I think I'm hitting good enough shots that I'll have myself some opportunities out there. Just trying to be patient and take advantage when I can. Hopefully tomorrow they go in and I can get a low round and be up there.”
)
)
)
)
