Austin Ernst overtook Jennifer Kupcho on moving day at the LPGA Tour’s Drive-On Championship and set up a potential head-to-head duel over the final 18 holes.
Ernst shot a three-under par 69 at Golden Ocala on Saturday, finished at 13-under and holds a one-shot advantage over Kupcho, who signed for a two-under par 70.
Ernest is looking for a third LPGA Tour victory. She was the NCAA individual champion at LSU back in 2014. She has become more patient and a much better strategist. When the weather turned testy, like it did on Saturday, she used her experience and has brother Drew on the bag, who has been with his sister since mid-way through her rookie year.
“He talks to me, kind of knows what to say,” she said. “And I think the fact that he played (professional golf) is big. He kind of knows what’s going through my head without me telling him. Part brother, part competitive golfer. I think that is what’s so nice. I know if I have a question on a shot or putt, whatever, I can bounce it off him. He’s going to be able to help me a lot.”
Kupcho, a rising star who won the first-ever Augusta National women’s amateur in 2019, is looking for her first victory.
Kupcho and Ernst have separated themselves from the rest of the field. Closest to them is a group of three at seven-under par. Albane Valenzuela, a second-year player, shot the day’s low round among the top contenders — a six-under par 66. Jenny Coleman (70) and Patty Tavatanakit (69) are in the group with her.
There won’t be a second consecutive win for Nelly Korda. She was totally out of sorts all day. Korda finished with a four-over par 76 that dropped her all the way back to three-under par and in a tie for 11th.
