England’s Charley Hull birdied four of her last eight holes to seize a one-stroke lead over Thailand’s world No 1 Jeeno Thitikul after Saturday’s third round of the LPGA Queen City Championship.
The 29-year-old Briton carded a five-under 67 to reach 16-under 200 after 54 holes at TPC River’s Bend in Cincinnati, Ohio.
“I put in some good work when I was home, all the work that I could do, and I feel relaxed,” Hull said. “Just need to play like I did the last few days and go out there and have some fun.”
Jeeno signed for a 68 to sit second on 15-under 201, with Japan’s Chisato Iwai and Miyu Yamashita sharing third on 14-under 202 after matching 66s.
Hull, a four-time winner on the Ladies European Tour and twice on the LPGA Tour, has converted from the lead before – both her LPGA victories came when she was in front going into the final round.
After a bogey at the par-three 5th, only her second of the week, Hull responded with birdies at the par-three 7th and par-four 9th. She then went on a run, making back-to-back birdies at the par-five 11th and par-three 12th, another at 15, and closing with a birdie at the par-five 18th.
“Just played pretty solid,” she said. “Kept it steady and made a nice birdie to finish.”
Hull hit 10 of 14 fairways, reached 12 of 18 greens in regulation, and needed 27 putts.
Jeeno (22) rolled in birdies at the 3rd, 4th, par-five 8th and 11th, and bounced back from a bogey at 17 with a closing birdie.
“I think I can make birdie almost on all the par-fives I have,” Jeeno said. “I had a lot of chances, but my putter didn’t come up today.”
World No 2 Nelly Korda and fellow American Yealimi Noh were in a tie for fifth on 13-under 203 alongside China’s Mary Liu and the Philippines’ Bianca Pagdanganan.
One stroke further back on 12-under 204 were England’s Lottie Woad, Australia’s Gabriela Ruffels, Germany’s Olivia Cowan, South Korea’s Kim Sei-young and Sweden’s Maja Stark.
Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen, who led after the opening two rounds, slipped back with a 75 to 10-under 206, while defending champion Lydia Ko of New Zealand shot a 69 to sit on eight-under 208.
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Photo: Dylan Buell/Getty Images
Article Link: Hull leads Jeeno by one at LPGA Queen City