Ina Yoon started the third round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship with a five-shot lead after tearing up Hazeltine National Golf Club in back-to-back rounds. But the 23-year-old, who had never held the lead in a major before this week, struggled mightily on Saturday, and now there are several big names who could win the trophy, including World No. 1 Nelly Korda.
Haeran Ryu took over the lead with her fine putting and shot a four-under 68 to take a one-shot lead over Brooke Henderson (69). Ryu, 25, has been close to winning a major before, with three top-six finishes, and she’s got another shot Sunday. She’s hoping to play in a zen-like state.
“Today on my front nine, it was amazing because I got an eagle and three birdies,” the South Korean said. “I started the back nine, and it was more windy and there were a lot of tough shots and tough putts, but I just made one bogey today. Good for me for tomorrow, and tomorrow I just want to have more confidence and more calm.”
The round was anything but calm for South Korea’s Yoon, who is just two shots back of Ryu, She’s not out of it, but it probably felt like it after a rough start Saturday. Yoon bogeyed four of the first six holes and rallied to keep things from completely falling apart with a three-over 75. She admitted that the nerves got to her.
“I had a really long day actually, especially on the front nine,” Yoon said. “I was nervous a lot. I missed short putts. That's what I expected. I'm learning still. I think it was way better than the second round of the U.S. Open [when she shot 79]. I keep improving. I think that's the point today.”