South Korea’s Sei Young Kim is chasing his first major two-shot victory in Sunday’s final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in Newtown Square, Pa.
Kim shorted a 3-under par 67 in the third round Saturday at Aronimink Golf Club to move to 7 under for the tournament.
The 27-year-old Kim must endure the two-time big winner Anna Nordqvist from Sweden and the 2016 PGA champion for women, Brooke Henderson, from Canada, who are tied for 5 under. Three shots back are seven times big winners Inbee Park in South Korea.
Kim, a ten-time LPGA winner, has been close to a major breakthrough twice before, finishing second at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2015 and finishing second at the Evian Championship 2018.
“I would not say I’m nervous, but I’m also happy to go into the last day,” Kim said. “I just want to take each shot at a time and just stay focused, then the results will follow.”
On Saturday, Kim recorded three bogeys and six birdies, including three in a row at No. 5-7. She came to 8 under before dropping a shot at par-4 18th.
“I’m just going to stick to my routine,” Kim said. “I’m going to hit some balls, have a great dinner and rest tomorrow.”
Henderson hit today’s low with a bogey-free 5-under 65, including four birdies in the front nine. She hit 17 of 18 greens in regulation.
“I’m very pleased with how it went today,” Henderson said. “Every time you’re looking for a big championship, it’s a great feeling.
Nordqvst, the 2009 PGA Women’s Champion, made three straight birdies at No. 6-8 and was at 7 under after a birdie on the par-4 11th hole. She returned two shots with bogeys at No. 12 and No. 18.
“I feel pretty good. The wind makes it really tough out there, and it felt like there were a lot of stuffed pins in the back nine,” Lundqvist said. “I feel like I hit a lot of good shots and kept my patience out there.”
Only 10 of the 75 players who made the 36-hole section remain below par. Bianca Pagdanganan from the Philippines shot a 65 to move to fifth place in 3 under. Americans Mina Harigae (66 on Saturday) and Jennifer Kupcho (71) are among the four players tied for sixth in 2 under.
Defending champion Hannah Green from Australia is in 49th place after 7 over.
– Field level media
Source: sn.dk