While the first three rounds of the Standard Portland (Ore.) Classic have provided some twists and turns, they haven’t yet provided clarity.
Going into the final day, Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol and American Sophia Schubert co-lead with a two-shot lead on the rest of the field.
Yubol, seeking her first ever LPGA tournament win, shot her worst round of the tournament Saturday with a 4-under-par 68 after back-to-back 66s.
Yet, the 24-year-old who had come into the day with the lead didn’t show signs of wilting, shaking off a solitary bogey on 15 to rescue par on each of her final three holes. Her start included three birdies over the first seven holes, and she added two more on Holes 10-11.
“I can say just kind of more excited for me,” Yubol said. “I didn’t focus any score that much, but I just do my best on my games, try to like control my driver, my putter, everything.”
Schubert, 30, is also in search of her first career win. She finished a shot better than Yubol at 67 with seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
From Holes 5-12 at Columbia Edgewater Country Club she was perfect, with four birdies, helping her forge a tie with Yubol at 16 under for the tourney.
She hasn’t let the competition dim her enthusiasm for just enjoying the moment.
“I can’t wait to play with (Yubol) again,” Schubert said. “We had a great day today. She’s fun to play with. So, I don’t know what it’s going to take, but I think for me personally, it’s just going to take being patient and calm and try to put a smile on my face and have fun.”
World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand is lurking in third place at 14 under after her third-round 67.
Thitikul carded eight birdies, though she also suffered three bogeys.
South Korea’s Narin An is in fourth at 13 under after shooting a 66.
Her fellow countrywoman Jiwon Jeon shot a matching 66 and it tied for fifth at 12 under with five other golfers. Those players include Japan’s Minami Katsu (67), South Korean’s Chella Choi (67), Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen (67), Belgium’s Manon De Roey (68) and Japan’s Erika Hara (69).
Surprise first-round leader Mariel Galdiano lost more ground on Saturday, falling into a tie for 16th with five other golfers. She’s still 10 under for the tournament after her 2-under 70.
