There is an end to everything. While she dreamed of winning a 6th LPGA title in as many tournaments, and of erasing Annika Sörenstam and Nancy Lopez from the shelves, still at her side today, Nelly Korda should fail in this attempt, unless one Completely crazy 4th round. After the 3rd round, the delay falling behind the leaders by the sister of Sebastian, one of the best tennis players in the world, indeed seemed prohibitive.
If the conditions had become ideal again in New Jersey, with sun and little wind, the world No. 1 never seemed in rhythm (4 bogeys and 2 birdies on the way) while Madelene Sagstrom (-4 on the way out) and Rose Zhang (-2 on the way out) immediately took advantage of finally dry weather to score.
Boutier not very successful
Despite a birdie at 15, Nelly Korda had to admit defeat by the course (+1 this Saturday) and watch the leaders escape (3rd, -8) while she shares the current podium with the Korean Sei-Young Kim and Australian Gabriela Ruffels. Madelene Sagstrom did not give up, co-signing the best card of the day (66) to position herself in the lead, one step ahead of Rose Zhang (67 in this 3rd round).
On the French side, the best news of the day came from Perrine Delacour. The protégé of Grégory Buisson planted a very good 68, despite some problems on the drive (8/14 fairways hit) but being particularly effective at the end (birdies at 17 and 18). The Northerner, who remained on five unfinished cuts, has not experienced the Top 10 in the LPGA since the Portland Classic in September 2021 (4th). A great opportunity will present itself to her on Sunday to close this long parenthesis when she will start in 10th position (-5).
For her part, Céline Boutier had less success on this moving day but she still scored under par (71). Enough to gain a few ranks and re-enter the Top 50 (49th, in par). Not a performance commensurate with her ambitions but the Top 20 is only four shots away and the Frenchwoman is obviously capable of scoring very low in a final round.
