Galloway, N.J. – Ilhee Lee shot a 3-under 68 on Saturday at Shoprite LPGA Classic in a rainy late afternoon round, bringing four players to the final round.
After age 63, tied up to a first-round lead with Elizabeth Skoll, Lee rebounded from a par-4 par-4 double bogey, earning a birdie that closed in par-5 ninth place. The 36-year-old Korean player totaled 131 under on the Seaview’s Bay course.
“Today was a completely different day, a completely different day. I knew it would be a completely different day, so I wasn’t expecting anything,” Lee said. “Like yesterday, I was just playing golf. Have fun there. I made a birdie in the first nine.”
She won the 2013 Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic.
“Now I know how much fun this game is, so I’m just enjoying golf,” Lee said.
Szokol scored second in the 54-hole event with American Jennifer Kupucho (64) and Japanese players Mao Saigo (65) and Ayaka Furue (66).
“I’m just trying to be patient all day,” Skoll said. “Nothing was as great as yesterday, but I still play really good golf.”
Kupucho birded the last two holes in the late afternoon round.
“I think tomorrow will improve a little,” Kupcho said. “We weren’t hitting the ball very much from the tee, but at least here it’s easy to manage from the rough or fairway bunkers. It really gave us the opportunity.”
Jeeno Thitikul, who was second in the runner up to 6 under, shooting the second 68, No. Nelly Korda of 1 was under 5 years old after 66.
“I’ve been very pleased with today’s play over the past two days,” Korda said. “It’s a tricky golf course. I always keep my toes on.”
Last week, Maja Stark, the winner of the US Women’s Open at Erin Hills, missed the cut in rounds 70 and 75. Defending champion Linnare Strom also dropped out and shot 72-75.
