PATTAYA: American and Thai sisters occupy four of the top six spots on the leaderboard heading into the final round of the LPGA Honda Thailand Open on Sunday.
Jessica Korda, who shot a sizzling 10-under par 62 to move on top on Friday, remains four shots ahead of the pack at 20 under par. But on Saturday it was the turn of her younger sister and the Jutanugarn siblings of Thailand to burn up the Siam Country Club layout.
Nelly Korda, a 19-year-old in her second year on the Tour, went 7 under par to finish at 12 under. Also shooting 7 under was Moriya Jutanugarn, who is in second place at 16 under, while sister Ariya matched Mo's performance and is at 14 under. Both Thai players' rounds included eagles: by Ariya on the final hole and by Moriya on 14.
The only golfers in the top six not named Korda or Jutanugarn are Minjee Lee of Australia, who was 5 under for the day and -15 for the tournament, and Lexi Thompson at -13.
Play was suspended briefly at 4.30pm when lightning was spotted not far from the course, while the final group was on the 18th tee. After play resumed a half-hour later, Jessica Korda made par on 18.
The tournament leader didn’t make her first birdie of round three until the 11th hole, but it was one of five on the back nine that helped her pad her lead. Her score of 20 under ties the 54-hole record for the Thailand Open.
“I was bit nervous on the front nine, but I knocked the rust off,” Korda said after her round.
The 24-year-old daughter of former tennis great Petr Korda is now 18 holes from her fifth win on the LPGA and first since the 2015 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.
Other notable contenders include defending champion Amy Yang of South Korea and Michelle Wie of the US at 12 under. World No.1 Feng Shanshan is another stroke back, tied with 2016 Thailand Open champion Brittany Lincicome.
Moriya struggled early with three bogeys over her first five holes, but finished strongly with seven birdies and an eagle over her final 13.
“I really enjoyed my game today, it’s working out pretty good,” said Moriya, who is still looking for her first career win but has 18 top-10 finishes on the Tour. “There is a lot of support and it feels nice having people cheering you on.”
Ariya finished her day in style, hitting a stellar shot into the par-5 18th and making a 6-foot eagle putt to post a 7-under 65 to get to 14-under.
“It was great fun playing with Pornanong (Phatlum) and playing in front of all the Thailand fans,” she said. “I had a really good start and made some putts."
Nelly Korda, meanwhile, will be cheering for her sister on Sunday while hoping that she too can carve out another impressive round.
“She’s (Jessica) playing great golf and hopefully she keeps killing it,” said Nelly. “Hopefully I can make a run Sunday.”
Among the other Thai competitors, Pornanong went 2 under to finish at 8-under par. Saranporn Langkulgasettri went 3 under to improve to 2 over par. Benyapa Niphatsophon was 4 under on the day and 3 over for the tournament, and Supamas Sangchan was 6 over after an 1-under round on Saturday.
