“It’s been a little while – and I keep saying it – but it’s been a while since I felt that kind of energy and felt like I could have an awesome score”.
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Kongkraphan had a bogey-free 66. She credits a new coach and new set of clubs for giving her confidence in recent starts.
“I have a problem with my iron pretty bad”, Kongkraphan said. “It’s very important. I mean that’s probably why I felt the nerves more this week than any other week really”.
She arrived this week ranked 78th on the LPGA Tour official money list ($138,440) and 74th in the Race to the CME Globe, a season-long points competition.
“My chips were better than maybe the last two days”.
Revelling in calm morning conditions, she birdied three of her first five holes and enjoyed a purple patch on the back nine, picking up shots on the 12th, 13th and 14th.
“I have friends and family that are coming tonight to watch me this weekend, so I was like, ‘don’t screw up!'” said Leblanc. “So just everything is ideal”.
US Open champion Brittany Lang, second previous year at Whistle Bear after winning the inaugural event in 2012 at Grey Silo, was six-under after a 71.
Matthew also briefly held the lead but a her approach shot found its way between the scorers’ tent and a grandstand, landing near a trailer. The South Korean player three-putted three times.
“It’s always good for Canadians to make the cut”, said Sharp.
Defending champion Suzann Pettersen had a 71 to reach four-under. She eagled the par-5 12th and closed with a birdie.
“I’m going home to Germany tonight, hopefully, if I catch my flight”, Masson said.
“I feel it’s pretty much my backyard”.
Henderson, from Smith Falls in southeastern Ontario, beat Ko in a playoff in June in the KPMG Women’s PGA for her first major title, and successfully defended her Portland Classic title in early July.
Ko was 2 under after a 72. “The greens roll really nice, so if you hit a good putt, the ball goes in”. “I think past year was a little cooler the first few days”.
Anne Catherine Tanguay (68) and Alena Sharp (70) are the top Canadians at 7-under, while Brooke Henderson (69) is a shot behind them.
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World No. 1 Lydia Ko had the best round of the day, firing an 8-under 64 to surge up the leaderboard and briefly hold the top spot.
