Jun 17, 2018: Anna Nordqvist started Saturday’s third-round at the Meijer LPGA Classic two shots off the pace, but erased that quickly with four birdies over her first five holes and posted an 8-under, 64 to snag a share of the 54-hole lead into Sunday at 18-under. South African Lee-Anne Pace matched Nordqvist with a 64 including a birdie from off the green on 18 to also get to 18-under.
“It feels good playing good golf, it has been a couple solid days here,” said Nordqvist. “When you struggle this year and you know what bad golf feels like, I’m just happy to feel more like myself and hitting better shots.”
Nordqvist, 31, and Pace, 37, were dueling late on the back nine, but the Swede tallied her seventh birdie of the day on the par-5 16th to take the outright lead. Then, on 18, she drilled a 20-footer to close her bogey-free round with a fist pump after the ball rolled right into the center of the cup. In the group behind Nordqvist, Pace came up a bit short with her approach on 18, but drilled a 25-footer to share the lead.
Nordqvist has made just one bogey through 54 holes and hit all 18 greens in regulation on Saturday. Pace has also made just three bogeys this week.
Nordqvist will go for her ninth career win this weekend while Pace is in position for her second win.
“I’ve been in the position before, but I’m just happy to be playing good golf,” said Nordqvist. “I feel like a veteran a little bit, but right now I’m just trying to keep learning, keep getting better every day, and it’s been a little bit of a process this year, but pretty happy how far I have come so far.”
Meanwhile, Pace is in position for by far her best result of the season, which is currently a T39 at the Kia Classic.
“I love this golf course, it reminds me a lot of home, I feel so comfortable on the course,” said Pace. “I’m hitting my irons really well. I’ve been striking the ball really well. I changed clubs earlier in the year and I’m feeling well.”
Pace last won at the 2014 Blue Bay LPGA and has six career top 10s.
So Yeon Ryu finished birdie-birdie-birdie to get into third place at 16-under while Caroline Masson and Angela Stanford are tied for fourth at 15-under.
LPGA Tour Release
