PATTY TAVATANAKIT OF Thailand is on track to make her first LPGA title a major triumph after carding a five-under par 67 on Saturday to take a five-shot lead at the ANA Inspiration.
The 21-year-old had seven birdies in her 67 at Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage, California, and showed no sign of nerves as she increased her one-shot overnight advantage. She was three strokes in front of defending champion Lee Mi-rim of South Korea and American Ally Ewing.
Ewing climbed the leaderboard with a bogey-free six-under par 66, while Lee – who won the rescheduled 2020 edition last September – signed for a 68.
Chinese veteran Feng Shanshan, playing her first LPGA event in more than a year, carded an even par 72 for sole possession of third place on eight-under 208.
Cavan’s Leona Maguire chipped in for an eagle on the par-five second, but a round of 74 pushed her further down the leaderboard, while Antrim’s Stephanie Meadow improved with a 71.
Maguire was in a tie for second after the opening round, before dropping to 12th place on Friday, five shots off the top of the leaderboard.
The 26-year-old’s challenge was hindered by six bogeys on Saturday, and she’s now 12 shots off the pace-setter on two-under for the tournament.
With Maguire in a tie for 33rd, Meadow shares 39th place on one-under after a third round for the 29-year-old that featured four birdies and three bogeys.
