There are 18 holes left until golf fans learn who will win the inaugural Ford Championship.
Some of the most famous players in women’s golf will be vying for the top of the leaderboard and the $337,500 first prize.
Lexi Thompson and Nelly Korda are among 10 women within two strokes of the leader advancing to the final round. Solheim Cup heroes Carlota Ciganda, Kim Hyo-joo and Sara Schmelzel remain in the lead heading into Sunday at 15 under.
The Seville Golf and Country Club course had nice weather for Saturday’s round.
“It was brutal,” Korda said. “It played like a completely different golf course. The wind started picking up at noon and got stronger as the day went on. It’s very open here, so the ball gets hit hard in this weather. I’m happy to come in at 3 under.”
Thompson expressed similar sentiments during Saturday’s round.
“It was windy and felt good overall. My score would definitely win,” Thompson said. “Some of the holes out there you have to run for par. There were some obtainable holes where you had to go for birdie and take advantage of it. It was tough there.”
Korda shot a 3-under 69 on travel day and is in contention for his third consecutive LPGA event victory.
He recorded 4 birdies and 1 bogey. The world’s No. 1 golfer had a chance to go 4 under on the 18th, but he had to settle for par.
Meanwhile, Thompson is aiming for his best performance in 2024. He also shot a 3-under 69 in the third round. He turned at even par and gained momentum with three birdies in the closing stages.
They aren’t the only competitive sluggers.
Lilia Vu is 12 under par, three strokes behind the leader. She shot a 5-under 67 on Saturday, moving her up 45 spots on the leaderboard. Lydia Ko shot a 2-under 70 in the third round and is among the 10 female players at 13 under. With her one win, she aims to join Korda as a multiple winner in 2024.
Ciganda had two eagles, three birdies and two bogeys on Saturday, moving him up 22 places to the lead.
There are 20 women within seconds of the leaders. Who will lose on Sunday and be crowned the first Ford Championship? Will Nellie, already great, be able to start 2024, or will it be someone else?
Savannah Lee Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.If you want to know more about golf, please follow us. @_PlayingThrough On all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirls and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
