First, it was basically another slap upside the head for the USGA on Saturday at the Women’s U.S. Open.
The pace of play set new standards in slow, with the field taking nearly six hours to complete individual group rounds.
The final threesome of the day took six minutes short of six hours!
The final round is set up for some potential drama with a lot of untested players in contention.
Tied at the top are former Duke University teammates Celine Boutier of France and Yu Liu from China. The two say they are best friends and the besties are tied at the top at six-under par.
Neither has come close to winning on the LPGA Tour, much less in a major.
A shot behind them is an established star with 10 wins and a major championship on her resume. Lexi Thompson sits at six-under par after a late rally and a 68. Lexi rolled in an 18-footer for eagle at the par five 15th then backed it up with birdie at the 16th. She had a chance for a share of the lead but missed from 12 feet at the 18th. Thompson, who has switched to a claw putting grip at the urging of her brother, Curtis, has had 32 putts each of the three days.
Mamiko Higa, the first and second round leader, finally started missing a few putts. She shot 71 and is tied with Thompson and American Jaye Marie Green at six-under.
Jessica Korda is the biggest threat to come from behind. Korda will start the final round at four-under after a 72 that saw her take a disastrous 37 putts.
