A leaderboard shuffle took place Saturday on the LPGA side of the ISPS Handa World Invitational, the tri-sanctioned event being played in Galgorm, Northern Ireland, this week. Second-round leader Emma Talley still has a share of the top spot, but Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn stole the show in catching her.
Anannarukarn, the 22-year-old who finished T10 at last week’s Amundi Evian Championship, had a 7-under 66 at Galgorm Castle that included an eagle at the par-5 third plus seven birdies in her final eight holes. It moved her to 13 under, which was good for a share of a one-stroke lead along with Talley and Jennifer Kupcho.
For Talley’s part, despite expressing her love for the venue and the region earlier in the week, the third round was a bit of a struggle. She opened with birdie, but bogeyed the fifth hole and doubled the ninth. She managed to get back on track on the back nine with a 2-under 34 but her even-par round of 73 didn’t allow for her to gain any ground.
Kupcho had a steady round of 70 that included birdies on her final two holes.
On the men’s side, second-round leader Daniel Hillier also lost a bit of ground, dropping from first to third with a third-round 70.
Now, a pair of Englishman are 1-2 on the leaderboard. Jordan Smith took the top spot with his 65. At 15 under, he leads countryman David Horsey by a shot. Horsey had a third-round 64.
Smith didn’t make a bogey on Saturday.
“I’ve been playing well around here for the two days that we’ve been here and I’m feeling good, the swing is feeling good, so we’ll see how it goes,” he told the European Tour.
“Today we didn’t do too much wrong at all, the putter saved me quite a few times so hopefully it can do that tomorrow if needed to.”
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