Sweden’s Linn Grant posted a five-under 65 to take a one-shot advantage over Jennifer Kupcho after the third round of the LPGA Annika at Pelican in Belleair, Florida, moving to 14-under 196 after 54 holes.
Grant, who hit 12 of 14 fairways and 17 of 18 greens in regulation, positioned herself for a second LPGA title following her 2023 Dana Open victory. Her round included birdies at the 5th, 6th and 9th, extending her advantage early before playing steady golf on the closing nine.
“I’m sitting in a very uncomfortable but very nice spot,” Grant said. “I really like this course. It suits my game well. I’m hitting the ball great into the greens and giving myself plenty of chances.”
Kupcho matched Grant’s 65 to remain firmly in contention at 13-under 197. The American, who owns four LPGA titles including the 2022 Chevron Championship, admitted to early nerves but settled quickly enough to deliver a bogey-free round capped by a tap-in birdie at the 17th.
“I was kind of nervous going into today,” Kupcho said. “It took me a while to get my bearings, but I settled down after five or six holes and started making putts.”
Kupcho will chase her second title of the season after winning the ShopRite Classic in June.
Overnight co-leader Grace Kim of Australia, the reigning Evian Championship winner, signed for a two-under 68 to sit tied for third at 11-under 199 alongside Russian Nataliya Guseva. Guseva surged up the leaderboard with seven birdies across her final 10 holes to shoot a seven-under 63.
South Korea’s Ryu Hae-ran, the first-round leader, rebounded impressively after a triple-bogey seven at the par-four 6th. She responded with seven birdies to finish with a two-under 68, joining Lucy Li (65) and Mexico’s Gaby Lopez (67) in a share of fifth at 10-under 200.
World No 2 and defending champion Nelly Korda sits tied for eighth on eight-under 202. Korda followed her second-round 63 with a two-under 68 and shares the position with Germany’s Esther Henseleit, who carded a 67. Despite seven titles last season, Korda is still seeking her first win of 2025.
South Africans Paula Reto and and Ashleigh Buhai carded 65 and 69 respectively.
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– AFP
Photo: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
Article Link: Grant holds a shot lead at LPGA Annika Tournament