Nelly Korda is hoping to hold her late momentum into the ultimate day after a blended third spherical for the world No 1 on the AIG Ladies’s Open on Saturday.
Korda had teed off because the in a single day chief earlier than seeing back-to-back bogeys to open her spherical considerably set the tone for a roller-coaster afternoon.
She had responded impressively with two birdies in her subsequent three holes in addition to ending up her entrance 9 with a birdie, earlier than firing 4 extra bogeys down the stretch to fall behind chief Jiyai Shin and enjoying companion Lilia Vu.
However there was nonetheless time for a late warning to the remainder of the sphere as Korda holed out for a birdie on the 18th to complete 5 below in third place.
“I mean, it’s nice to finish with a birdie, but it wasn’t the best of days. But it’s okay,” she mentioned. “It was good to see one roll in. It barely rolled in however after making two bogeys on the primary two holes, it was good to rebound with a birdie.
“Clearly with the double on 16 and bogey on 17, you wish to end on a great observe. I used to be completely happy to see that one roll in. Hopefully I can take that momentum into tomorrow.
“I think it’s going to be a tough day. I think the winds are going to be high. There could be rain, as well. I’m going to keep a positive attitude. Take it one shot at a time. I played really well the first two days, so I’m going to take that momentum into tomorrow.”
The day had belonged to Shin, who produced the shot of the week with a surprising strategy on the seventeenth on her approach to posting seven birdies in a spherical of 67 that leaves her on track for a 3rd Open crown.
Korda had been in scintillating kind earlier within the week as she displayed a return to confidence on the again of three missed cuts in her final 4 outings on Tour.
With a birdie on the final, although, the American stays in place to chase down a seventh win of the season.
“It was bizarre, Nelly had it under control for three quarters of the whole round pretty much,” mentioned Sky Sports activities Golf’s Trish Johnson. “I left commentary and within half hour it went pear-shaped, but that’s what can happen on those last holes at St Andrews and especially with this wind.
“I believe these scores advised you it was virtually as powerful as earlier within the week.
“Nelly starting bogey/bogey, you sort of think that it brings others back in and makes it entertaining for those watching. She makes a great comeback, and the fact she finished with a birdie, she’s only two shots off, it makes for a great shootout on Sunday.”
Vu: I saved my composure
Lilia Vu additionally endured a blended afternoon alongside Korda, with the world No 2 carding two birdies and a bogey throughout her entrance 9 earlier than being pegged again by two successive bogeys at 12 and 13.
Again got here the unflappable defending champion to sink three birdies over her closing 5 holes to rise to second on six-under.
“I would say I’m pretty satisfied with the round, was a little shaky, caught some bad breaks and was heading in the wrong direction but happy to par 17th and birdie 18th and get into a pretty good position heading into tomorrow,” she advised Sky Sports activities.
“The wheels were kind of falling off when I made that double, but kept my composure. The only goal I’m trying to do is beat the course and keep it simple like that.
“I needed to change my mindset, I am used to quicker greens however given how tough it’s I perceive it is received to be a slower tempo to assist everyone out. I got here into this week realising it is alright to lag some two-putts and get out of there.”
Shin: The wind was good to me!
Chief Shin is presently making her third look at St Andrews as she seems to be to win a 3rd British Open adopted following victories in 2008 and 2012.
Regardless of her expertise, she insists the blustery circumstances have supplied a brand new problem throughout St Andrews this week.
“Well, I try to, well, I played a long time, the golf,” she mentioned. “So this is my third. I’ve been here already third time. This is my third time at St Andrews. That’s how much I played it, for so long.
“I’ve a number of expertise with hyperlinks course and with not like this powerful wind however just about I’ve a number of good expertise.
“So that’s why I take all my skill today. Yeah, the wind – really, the wind is nice to me today, and also, I made a bogey – two bogeys today but I think everyone can make one or two bogeys. So this is nothing. I just keep focused forward.”
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