After returning a promising 68 on Friday, Céline Boutier stalled during this moving day. If the Frenchwoman initially showed herself to be rather solid on the outward leg (one birdie, one bogey), she then experienced a big slump on the return leg, conceding three bogeys between holes 11 and 15. Despite a final birdie at 18, the six-time winner on the LPGA circuit had to settle for a score of 74 and fell to 57th place (-3 total).
Kim escapes
Further up, the duel between Ally Ewing and Grace Kim, both leaders at the end of the cut, turned in favor of the Australian. Brilliant throughout the day and particularly impressive at putting, the latter posted a superb 66 (seven birdies, one bogey), to sit alone in the leader’s chair (-17 total): “ I had to face this situation in Los Angeles recently this year (she had a four-shot lead after two rounds at the JM Eagle LA Championship before collapsing). I don’t think I handled it very well. I was very nervous. So this morning I think I learned from my experience. I tried hard not to think about the course or anything golf-related. »
“I think I just tried to relax during warm-ups and have a free mind on the course today, she continued. I know I will do my best tomorrow, like everyone else. This course requires a lot of birdies and there are a lot of good players here. I think my strategy will be the same. I like to play aggressively. »
Thompson begins his last stand
Thanks to this performance, Grace Kim also significantly widened the gap with her main pursuers. Indeed, Ally Ewing failed to keep up with the pace set by the Sydney native. Author of a record of 71, the American seemed to be off to a good start in this third round (four birdies, one bogey arriving at the start of the 15th) but she suffered in the final by making two bogeys on her last four holes. At -12 total, the 31-year-old still remains well placed at the dawn of the fourth round and ranks 2nd, alongside Narin An, Allisen Corpuz, Anna Nordqvist, who concluded the course in 65 shots (eight birdies, one bogey) and Lexi Thompson.
The Floridian also achieved a formidable card of 65 during this third round. The 29-year-old golfer, who recently decided to retire at the end of the season, made six birdies and an eagle at 8 (for a bogey) to the loud applause of the crowd who came to enjoy one of the last appearances of the champion (11 titles on the LPGA Tour). The top 10 is completed by four golfers who share 7th position (-11 total). We find Ryann O’Toole, Natthakritta Vongtaveelap, Alexa Pano and Alison Lee.
