BELMONT, MI — The third round of the Meijer LPGA Classic at Blythefield Country Club was nothing short of entertaining. The top of the leaderboard was a revolving door, nobody was safe.
Korea’s Amy Yang maintained a one-stroke lead for the tournament at 15 under after a strong round. She made birdie on seven holes and overcame two bogeys on 11 and 13 to retake the lead. The four-time international champion has yet to win on American soil.
“I mismanaged my putting speed on the green,” Yang said. “I thought it would trickle down, but it didn’t … everybody makes mistakes, but I tell myself to be patient.”
South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai, China’s Xiyu Lin and Japan’s Ayaka Furue finished the round tied for second at 14 under. Buhai’s eagle on 18 put her back into contention heading into Father’s Day.
Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn, Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim and Ireland’s Leona Maguire sit in a tie for fifth place at 13 under.
What seemed like a runaway victory for Furue has become an epic final round. With a dozen still 11 under or better, the trophy is up for grabs.
Here are three takeaways from a dramatic third round:
Leona Maguire looks on as she competes in the Meijer LPGA Classic Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, MI.
Coming into the round, Buhai sat four strokes back of the lead. She put together five birdies and an eagle to only one bogey. She has the chance to capture her first Meijer LPGA Classic victory tomorrow.
“My mindset is the same as it’s been the last few months, just trying to do my job well and when I get to the hole, only focus on one thing,” Buhai said. “Any win is special no matter what tournament it is. We’re out here to give ourselves a chance every week and I’ve given myself a chance this week.”
Maguire and De Roey both began their rounds with early bogeys, but bounced back nicely to finish 12 under. Maguire connected on three consecutive birdies on six, seven and eight and De Roey birdied three of four holes on the back nine.
Ayaka Furue tees off from the second hole during the Meijer LPGA Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, MI.
Furue held a comfortable lead going into the final six holes, but even she could not escape the carousel of lead changes. Three bogeys in six holes pushed her one stroke back of the lead.
“I’m not satisfied with my shots and my putting on the back nine, that’s the one thing I feel I need to do better,” Furue said.
Ciganda played well, finishing the round at 1 under and 11 under for the tournament. She failed to pick up crucial birdies and has no margin for error going into the final round.
Jennifer Kupcho tees off from the second hole Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, MI.
Defending Meijer LPGA Classic champion Jennifer Kupcho sits in a tie for eighth place at 12 under with De Roey and Lindsey Weaver-Wright.
The victory is not out of reach for Kupcho, but she needs a flawless round to repeat.
“Certainly nobody is running away with it, but being at least three strokes back, it’s going to be hard for me to come back,” Kupcho said. “(I need) no mistakes and we’ll see what happens tomorrow.”
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