Norton, Massachusetts – Miranda Wang left TPC Boston with a three-shot lead for the second day in a row, having to overcome a three-shot deficit this time, with a great putt hitting a 65-shot seven in the FM championship after her first LPGA win.
Wang only took 24 putters on the route of the rain opening, and may only be able to get help by punching 18 holes. Challengers of some Chinese players are facing longer days as the storm is interrupting a lot.
She hit an 8-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to tie Wuji’s round, which gave her three leads in Sei Young Kim (71) and Rose Zhang (67).
Wang is under 198 years old.
“This is where all the players want, so the leader going into the final round is absolutely special,” Wang said. “This is something we try to do every week, so I’m glad to do it well. I hope to continue doing what I’m doing today.”
King scored a big run in both nine games Saturday morning when she played 14 holes and finished the second round with 65 points to build a three-shot lead. The afternoon wasn’t that smooth and her lead went through three holes.
She didn’t leave the bunker on the par-5, which made the bogey feel worse. Then, she failed to start up and down on the third stroke of the third three club.
Wang rushed forward for the first time in the sixth birdies, and she showed off the next hole one day. She incited her own method on the par 7 hole on the right and on the tree. She pulled the third 60-foot shot and used it for the birds.
Wang also made a 40-foot birdie putt on the 14th hole and ended the day on a 27-hole streak without bogey.
The key to the former Duke player’s week was her nine games on Thursday. The king had eight of the 29 birdies (and bogeys) of the first nine, which showed she was comfortable on the green.
“My putts have been clicking since I was really hot in the first round nine. My speed and line were really good and today I made a super long putt in seventh place, which gave me more confidence,” she said. “I know I did a great job on these greens, so when I feel at ease, I’m more confident and comfortable.”
Zhang won her first LPGA event two years ago, and she didn’t rank in the top 10 all year round against Full Field as she tried to divide her time between the Stanford and the ending game.
Zhang said: “It’s been a while since I’ve been involved, so I’m very, very grateful.”
She had to hit 32 holes-14 in the morning she had 64 holes and then 4 birdies at the turn in the afternoon as she tried to keep pace with the king.
“It feels like I’ve been doing diet and drinking water and electrolytes today,” Zhang said. “It’s been a while since I hit 32 holes. I need to grind it a little bit. I need to stay focused. But I feel like I’ve known a lot of positive things today because I know I’m elastic to play consistent golf and keep trying to get better.”
Jeeno Thitikul (65) and Andrea Lee (66) were four shots behind.
Nelly Korda may have to wait for her first LPGA win this year. She was in range when she left the court on Friday night, but she could only be at 70 a.m. and 70 p.m. Corda failed to birdie any of 5 shots.
She was 9 shots behind.
LPGA rookie Wang will try to extend a prominent winning streak on this year’s LPGA Tour. There are 22 tournaments and all players have won the championship.
