Australia’s Minsey Lee opened the four-shot lead in the “brutal” women’s PGA Championship in the third round of 69, when overnight leader Gino Chitickle slowly filled up in Frisco, Texas.
Lee was three shots behind Thitikul at the start of the third day, but produced an impressive bogey-free round that included three birdies.
Thai Citikul took the lead after the first two days of the tournament, but filmed a 4-over 76, including two birdies and six bogeys, and two standard, the 76.
England’s Charlie Hull scored the lowest score in the second round at 69 and continued it at 73, when she entered the final day of four with four pars.
Although there were only five rounds in the ’60s in the tournament, Lee had two rounds carded in 69 seconds on the first and third days.
“I’m just trying to be patient,” said Lee, a two-time major winner. “I can’t go any further than I am, especially under these conditions.
“The pressure of a large championship alone makes it even more difficult, and I think the course demands so much of you.”
Lee’s previous major victories took place at the 2021 Evian Championship and the 2022 US Women’s Open.
She added:
“I think the experiences I have experienced will really help me get past the line, hopefully.”
Lee and Thitikul are the third and only players of five LPGA majors this year.
American Lexi Thompson has more than one after the age of 75, which began with triple bogeys and bogeys, with compatriot Nelly Corda (72) and Ireland’s Leona Maguire (72) in one more shot.
“I’m proud of how I’ve become stronger,” Thompson said. “It was kind of a start nightmare, but I knew it would come on a day when it would be very difficult.
“I really don’t know what happened in the first hole, but (I) kept it out of the way, staying positive there, making pars and some birdies here and there.”
Koruda, the world’s number one, added:
“I’m happy to be able to win 18 under the age of 18 on a day like this.”
