With 18 holes remaining, golf enthusiasts eagerly await the conclusion of the inaugural Ford Championship, where a host of prominent names in women’s golf are vying for the prestigious title and the hefty $337,500 prize awaiting the victor.
At the forefront of contention are seasoned pros Lexi Thompson and Nelly Korda, among a pack of ten competitors trailing the leaders by just two shots as they gear up for the final round. Solheim Cup standout Carlota Ciganda, Hyo Joo Kim, and Sarah Schmelzel currently hold a collective lead at 15-under, setting the stage for an exhilarating climax on Sunday.
Saturday’s competition at the Seville Golf and Country Club saw favorable weather conditions, although challenges persisted as the wind intensified throughout the day.
Reflecting on the demanding conditions, Korda remarked, “It was brutal… The wind started picking up at noon and got progressively windier as the day went on. It’s very open out here, so the ball gets hit hard with this weather. Happy to get in at 3-under.” Thompson echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging the difficulty of the course and expressing satisfaction with her performance in the windy conditions.
Korda, eyeing her third consecutive LPGA victory, exhibited resilience with a solid 3-under 69 performance on moving day, punctuated by four birdies and a lone bogey. Despite narrowly missing a chance to finish 4-under on the 18th hole, she remains firmly in contention.
Thompson, seeking her standout performance of the year, matched Korda’s score with a composed 3-under 69 round, gaining momentum with three crucial birdies down the final stretch after starting the back nine at even par.
The competition is fierce beyond the leading duo, with contenders such as Lilia Vu, trailing by three shots at 12-under, following an impressive 5-under 67 surge on Saturday, propelling her a remarkable 45 places up the leaderboard. Lydia Ko, another formidable presence, stands among the ten contenders at 13-under after carding a steady 2-under 70 in the third round, eyeing a chance to secure her second win of the season alongside Korda.
Ciganda’s exceptional performance on Saturday, marked by two eagles, three birdies, and two bogeys, propelled her 22 spots up the leaderboard, establishing her as a co-leader with a strong position heading into the final round.
With a tight field of 20 competitors within striking distance of the leaders, anticipation mounts over who will emerge victorious in the inaugural Ford Championship. Will Korda continue her remarkable run in 2024, or will another contender seize the crown in a thrilling finish? The stage is set for an electrifying conclusion to this prestigious tournament.
