BELLAIRE, Fla. — Lynn Grant hit two 15-foot putts amongst her 5 birdies on Saturday to enhance to a 5-under 65, constructing a one-shot lead at Annika and seeking to lengthen her profitable streak with no less than one world championship to 6 years.
Grant solely missed one inexperienced and two fairways at Pelican Golf Membership, then made an up-and-down shot from a greenside bunker on the par-5 14th gap for his remaining birdie.
At 14-under 196, she was one stroke forward of Jennifer Kupcho, who additionally performed bogey-free on a crisp afternoon within the Tampa Bay space.
Russia’s Natalya Guseva made all seven birdies in her remaining 10 holes for a 63, leaving her with a two-stroke lead over Evian champion Grace Kim (68).
“I hit loads of greens. I believe that was my secret this week,” Grant mentioned. “I am actually assured in my iron sport and really feel like I can actually hit the pins. I am having loads of enjoyable.”
The 26-year-old Swede went bogey-free by way of 35 holes heading into the ultimate spherical in search of his second LPGA victory. Grant, who performed at Arizona State College, gained the Nordic Golf League twice as an beginner, the Sunshine Girls Tour of South Africa, the Girls European Tour and the LET Entry Sequence by way of 2020.
With solely this occasion and the CME Group Tour Championship remaining on the LPGA schedule, time is operating out for Grant to win in 2025.
Kupcho spent a lot of the day together with her, however she complained that she needed to wait too lengthy for photographs. Kupcho attributed the tempo to the course taking part in about 100 yards shorter.
“I believe the setup was nonetheless okay. They do a very good job of establishing this golf course yearly,” Kupcho mentioned. “It’s a little bit irritating whenever you’re the chief or behind the pack and have to attend for each shot.”
Defending champion Nelly Korda, who gained seven titles a 12 months in the past however was winless this 12 months, made three birdies within the remaining 4 holes of the spherical and overcame an early bogey to maneuver nearer to the lead. However on the 18th, his 25-foot birdie putt simply missed the lip, and he additionally missed a 4-foot par putt on the best way again for a 68.
He was six strokes behind Korda, who shot a 63 within the second spherical and got here inside three of the lead.
“At the moment was form of like the primary day, nothing went proper for me, however I most likely found out just a few issues in the previous few holes and ended up ending the spherical,” Korda mentioned.
