Minjee Lee had a whopping six-shot lead going into the third round of the LPGA’s Blue Bay Championship.
She doesn’t anymore.
American Jessica Korda’s 66 on Saturday was good enough to get her to 11-under par and tied for the 54-hole lead with Lee, who stumbled on the day with a 73.
“I feel like I’m at home,” said Korda, who admitted that the heat and humidity in Hainan, China, felt similar to her home in Florida. “The course plays a lot like my home course,” she pointed out.
American golfers have only won twice this year on the LPGA Tour, Lexi Thompson last February in Thailand and Brittany Lang at the U.S. Open.
Korda’s last victory came nearly a year ago at the Sime Darby in Thailand, where the tour moves next week. In the meantime, Korda has work in front of her on Sunday.
Ariya Jutanugarn, who has five victories this season, will start the final 18 holes just two back of Lee and Korda. She had the day’s low round, a seven-under par 65 and could be a huge factor over the final 18 holes.
