Leona Maguire was unable to capitalise on her Friday night heroics on Saturday as she fell nine shots off the pace at the Tournament of Champions.
Maguire carded a level-par 72 to remain on six-under-par and in a share of eighth place with A Lim Kim still leading the way by three shots ahead of Linn Grant on fifteen-under-par.
Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko are lurking in third on eleven-under.
Maguire’s first move of her third round was backwards with a bogey on the seventh but she restored parity on the par-5 9th.
She was unable to muster a back nine charge with back to back bogeys on 12 and 13 putting paid to her chances of winning although she did respond with birdies on the 14th and 17th.
A Lim Kim carded four birdies and an eagle on the 9th in a third round f of 67 as she looks for a wire to wire victory at Lake Nona.
Kim has a field-best 81 putts in three rounds. She won the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open and 2024 LOTTE Championship and was three victories on the Korean tour.
“My goal, my starting goal always my job, not result,” Kim said. “So, I really focus on my prepare, process, and then, just hit it. That’s all. So my position, I don’t care. That’s not important for me.”
Sweden’s Grant is chasing her second LGPA Tour title and after a winter spent tinkering with her swing she is pleasantly surprised to be in contention.
“Really trying to figure out where I’m at, all the changes I’ve done, how that feels, and really just trying to get every shot as good as possible,” Grant said. “I think that mindset is good to have any week. It’s just easier now than in the middle of the season.”
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