Yoo Hae-ran, who won two LPGA titles, regained the joint lead in the third round of the Chevron Championship and approached her first major championship.
On the third day of the tournament (total prize money of $8 million) held at The Club at Carlton Woods Jack Nicklaus Course (par 72, 6,911 yards) in Woodlands, Texas, on the 27th, Yoo Hae-ran shot a 4-under 68 with five birdies and one bogey, and tied for the lead with Saigo Mao (Japan).
Yoo lost two pars in the second round on the first day, but managed to regain his lead by reducing four pars on the day. Yoo bogeyed at the third hole (par 3), but immediately recovered by birdieing at the fourth hole (par 5), before adding birdie for four consecutive holes from the sixth hole. He succeeded in a long birdie putt at the seventh hole (par 3), and finished the first half with a chip-in birdie at the ninth hole (par 4). He played calmly even in the strong wind and finished the rest of the holes with par.
Yoo Hae-ran, who won five KLPGA tours and debuted on the U.S. LPGA Tour in 2023 with one win (Walmart Arkansas Championship), had the opportunity to win three major titles in seven months after winning the FM Championship (September) last year.
"I made some good birdies in the first half, which was a good trend," Yoo said. "However, it was very difficult in the second half because the wind got stronger and the pin position was very tricky. I almost had a putt, but I almost missed it, so I had a lot of par," Yoo said. "I am grateful once again that I played in the championship group this year following last year's (5th), and I was not able to enjoy the game properly last year due to awkwardness and nervousness, but this time I want to calm down and play my shots and overall matches." 온라인바카라
Mao Saigo, who won the LPGA Rookie of the Year award last year without a victory, created her first chance to win a major championship. "I will just focus on my golf and on every single shot," Saigo said. "I think not only golf but also mental management is important."
Saigo Mao played in the last group with Liu Yan (China), who was the co-leader the previous day, and reduced three shots to keep the co-leader for two consecutive days. Lindy Duncan of the U.S. rose to third place (8-under 208) and Liu Yan failed to reduce the number of pars and fell to a tie for fourth (7-under 209).
Choi Hye-jin, who is in her fourth year of the tour, also shot a 1-under 71 with two birdies and one bogey, and recorded a total of 6-under 210 and took her first chance to win the championship with Lexy Thompson of the U.S. and others. Choi Hye-jin, who tied with Yoo Hae-ran for the lead by making 7-under-par in the middle with birdies in consecutive holes 4 and 5, later missed the birdie opportunity and continued her par-marching, adding bogey at the 15th hole (par 4).
Kim Hyo-joo lost one shot and tied for 11th (5-under 211) with Lee So-mi and Angelin (USA), and Jeon In-ji, who will achieve the Grand Slam if she wins the tournament, reduced one shot and finished tied for 15th (4-under 212).
Last year's winner, world No. 1 Nelly Korda of the U.S., cut one stroke and tied for 31st with even par 216, making it difficult to defend the title.