Kildare’s Lauren Walsh posted her first over-par round of the Riviera Maya Open in Mexico as the 25-year-old heads into Sunday’s final round in T43.
After shooting back-to-back level-par rounds, Walsh struggled with the Caribbean wind – making her first bogey at the par-4 third.
She responded well with a birdie at the par-5 fifth to close out the front nine at even-par. Walsh had a steady start to the back nine, parring the next six holes before a major slip up at the 16th.
A few loose swings saw Walsh make a sore double-bogey before following it up with a bogey at the par-4 17th.
The LPGA rookie managed to limit the damages at the last, making a birdie at the par-5 18th to post a 74 and sit at two-over-par heading into the final round.
World no.1 Nelly Korda posted a five-under-par round to take a three shot lead into the final round. Korda is off the back of a major win at last weeks Chevron Championship.
“Even though I’m coming off a major win, I took Monday off to relax. From there, I’m here to work. I’m not on vacation,” Korda said with a smile. “It’s a tough golf course. Most important for me is mentally, being relaxed. I’d be lying if I said my energy level was 100%.”
El Camaleon is tight with trouble on both sides, and Korda is navigating that just fine as she posted a bogey-free round, making three birdies and a fine eagle at the last.
Korda is in prime position to win back-to-back tournaments on the LPGA, and become the first player since Annika Sorenstam in 2001 to start a season with six consecutive tournaments finishing no worse than runner-up.
“We just kind of try to avoid the mistakes as much as possible,” said Korda. “You’re going to hit a bad shot here and there and you’re going to find yourself in trouble, but trying to stay away from the holes that kind of lead to you trouble is the goal.”
Three shots behind was Arpichaya Yubol of Thailand, whose birdie-birdie finish gave her a 66 and a spot in the final group. Yubol posted the lowest round of the day.
“I never play with her before,” Yubol said. “Nelly Korda, Lydia Ko, they both kind of like my idol because they play very good. And if I have to play with her tomorrow it’s just like my dream is come true. So my life is complete right now.”
Japan’s Minami Katsu sits in third place at 10-under after a four-under-par 69 on Saturday.
Brianna Do was tied with Korda after 36 holes but the American posted an even-par third round to drop to fourth place at nine-under, tied with China’s Yu Liu.
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