PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. | As the winds picked up on Moving Day, Allisen Corpuz caught fire, and after a 1-under 71 at Pebble Beach Golf Links, she is one back of the lead at the 78th U.S. Women’s Open. The 25-year-old got the party started on the par-3 fifth hole, chipping in from the front of the green for an unconventional birdie, her only one on the front nine. Turning in 35, Corpuz went birdie-bogey on holes 10 and 11, then grabbed another birdie on the par-5 14th hole before closing with a bogey on 18 to post at 6-under overall.
Corpuz sits within five of the lead entering the final round for the third time this season. She held a share of third through 54 holes at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, ultimately finishing T3. She was then tied at the top with Angel Yin after the third round at The Chevron Championship, eventually recording a T4 result, her best finish in a major championship. The Hawaii native tied for third in strokes gained total in the previous two major championships (+2.68) ahead of this week, and while she’s always felt like her ball-striking suits big venues and big events, it’s her short game that’s made the difference at Pebble Beach. Practice playing under pressure has helped a lot too.
“Definitely a few new shots that I didn't have last year around the greens. I made a really good up-and-down I think on 3, 4, from the back of the green on 9 today, which might have been hit or miss last year,” said Corpuz, who has only made five bogeys this week. “I think just being under pressure more often and I guess paying attention more to my rhythm and being able to stay in that.
“(The HSBC Women’s World Championship) was kind of the first final round where I felt really comfortable that last round. Obviously, didn't close it out, but still felt like I played a really solid final round in Singapore, and I have been able to take that with me for the rest of the season.”
Growing up in Hawaii, Corpuz is more than used to playing courses that sit right on the ocean and knows how to perform in the wind that blows in off the water. She went to college at the University of Southern California where she played plenty of courses with Poa annua grass, experience that has been critical on Pebble Beach’s bouncy greens. According to KPMG Performance Insights, her highest strokes gained rankings come in the tee-to-green (+0.95) and approach (+0.55) categories, with Corpuz sitting 20th and 24th, respectively.
Considering her statistics and her knowledge of this style of golf, not to mention her T4 and T15 results in majors this year, it makes sense that Corpuz would be in this spot heading into the final round of the U.S. Women’s Open. But it’s something she never expected, something she never even dreamed of as a kid.
“I don't think I was ever serious. I had putts to win the U.S. Open, like little tap-ins, but I don't think I ever really thought I'd be in this position. Just really, really grateful to be here and hope that tomorrow goes well,” Corpuz said. “I don't even think I could put it into words. Major, first win, it would mean a lot.”
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