Jeeno Thitikul secures lead after third round at LPGA Thailand
CHONBURI, Thailand — World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul concluded her round with three consecutive birdies on Saturday, finishing with a 6-under 66 and securing a two-stroke advantage heading into the final round of her home LPGA Thailand tournament.
Thitikul sank a 15-foot birdie putt on the par-3 16th, breaking free from a four-way tie for the lead, and her eagle chip on the 18th just missed the hole, leading her to tap in for a birdie.
She recorded a 54-hole total of 20-under 196 at the Siam Country Club Old Course.
“I try to keep everything on track,” stated the seven-time LPGA Tour champion. “The driver has been performing well these past few days, which has boosted my confidence. My irons have exceeded my expectations, and I’ve been putting well over the last three days.”
In second place was Hyo Joo Kim, who shot a 65. Allisen Corpuz (67), second-round leader Somi Lee (72), and Chizzy Iwai (68) were tied for third, three strokes behind Thitikul.
“I’m in a position where I have to chase, but that allows me to be more aggressive,” Kim remarked. “I made a few mistakes today, so tomorrow I just want to attack and hopefully finish first.”
Lydia Ko recorded a 69 and was in sixth place, four strokes back.
The tournament, located about 125 kilometers (75 miles) east of Bangkok, is the first of three consecutive events in Asia, followed by tournaments in Singapore and China as part of the early Asian swing on the LPGA Tour.
Starting the third round three strokes behind, Thitikul benefited from Lee’s three bogeys in four holes on the front nine.
On the par-5 first hole, both Thitikul, who celebrated her 23rd birthday on Friday, and Lee had eagle opportunities, but Lee three-putted for par while Thitikul made a birdie, narrowing the gap to two strokes. After another birdie on the second, Thitikul tied for the lead on the sixth hole and took the outright lead when Lee bogeyed the eighth hole.
After 12 holes, the two were tied at 18-under, each making a birdie on the par-3 hole, extending their lead to three over the rest of the competitors.
Canadian Brooke Henderson shot a 70 on Saturday and stood at 7-under, 13 strokes behind. Defending champion Angel Yin posted a 69 and was at 3-under.
