Leona Maguire joined Stephanie Meadow at -8 after three rounds of the LPGA’s Maybank Championship in Malaysia, but low scoring sees them well adrift as Rose Zhang sets her sights on win number two.
Maguire, lying four-under through 36 holes, got off to a fast start with three birdies in succession from the second, but she’d have to wait until 10 before she got another and unfortunately it would be her final birdie of the day as she’d par her way home to sign for a bogey-free 68.
Meadow, who began the day a shot ahead of Maguire at -5, also did all her scoring in the early stages of the round. Despite a bogey at the second, she rebounded with back-to-back birdies on three and four, then added three more at six, eight and nine to reach halfway at -9 for the tournament.
A bogey at the par-4 16th would be her only deviation from par on the back nine, and she’d join her friend and countrywoman at -8 and in a share for 21st.
With just two regular LPGA event between now and the season-ending CME Globe Championship, Meadow remains just on the outside of the all-important top 60 but a good final round could see her climb inside and head into the final two events in a position to defend her ranking as opposed to having to chase.
The two Irish women are 10 shots off the pace at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, and it’s American sensation Rose Zhang who’s emerged to spearhead the field going into the final round.
Zhang birdied the 18th hole for a seven-under 65 and a one-stroke lead after 54 holes. The 20-year-old’s 18-under total sees her one ahead of Thai duo Atthaya Thitikul and Jasmine Suwannapura.
A star studded leaderboard features no fewer than seven Solheim Cup members T21 or better, with former world number ones Lydia Ko, Jin Young Ko and Nelly Korda all present.
“It was incredible,” Zhang would say of her third-round battle with playing partner Suwannapura. “I say this every week, but I feel like I’m learning so much from all the professionals out here on tour. They really show they’re world class, and Jasmine, I never expected anything less.
“It was really incredible to watch, and I feel like I’m still learning so there is just much to improve on, and I’m really happy that I’m able to fight alongside the best in the world.”
Zhang won on her maiden LPGA start as a pro, the week after winning the NCAA Individual Championships, but the expected avalanche of victories haven’t arrived, but this is her first 54-hole lead since making her pro debut and she’s intent to enjoy every moment of it.
“I feel really great,” she said. “I just feel like being able to have this opportunity to come into the final round with a little bit of a lead is really great.
“I think that going forward it’s just making sure I’m having fun, having that game plan, and enjoying every simple moment.”
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