JERSEY CITY, N.J. — On a challenging day marked by gusty winds at Liberty National, Jeeno Thitikul showcased her resilience and precision to take a narrow lead heading into the final round of the Mizuho Americas Open. Despite contending with a double bogey, Thitikul managed to secure a 7-under 65, thanks to an impressive series of nine birdies, placing her one stroke ahead of Celine Boutier.
Nelly Korda, the tournament’s defending champion and current number one in women’s golf, maintained close contention with a round of 68. Although she missed some key birdie opportunities on the back nine, she remains just two shots behind, eager for her first victory of the year.
The LPGA Tour strategically shifted several tee placements to accommodate the fierce winds, which proved to be significant enough to bend flagsticks and influence closing plays. This change resulted in dynamic finishes as competitors jockeyed for advantageous positions before the final round.
Ranked second globally, Thitikul adapted brilliantly to the circumstances, highlighting her skilled play with a birdie on the reachable par-4 16th, flanked by water hazards, followed by another at the 17th, securing a total of 14-under 202. “The strategies for today, I just tried to keep it on the fairway and then on the green,” Thitikul explained. “I know it’s going to be a really tough day and then I have to be patient out there. So I don’t know how I did that, but I take it.”
Celine Boutier added excitement with a lengthy 40-foot birdie putt on the 15th, igniting a streak of three consecutive birdies and ultimately finishing with a 66. “It was a nice setup today,” Boutier noted. “I feel like it was challenging with the wind, but the setup made it possible to have some chances if you were hitting good.”
Korda’s efforts to match Thitikul’s momentum included a notable 15-foot birdie on the par-3 14th, beautifully set against the striking Manhattan skyline. However, a less advantageous drive on the 16th led to settling for par. Finding her rhythm, Korda expertly executed a wedge shot for birdie on the 17th and narrowly missed a birdie on the 18th.
Reflecting on the challenging conditions over the weekend, Korda said, “You just have to dial into a small target and you have to be focused 100% on each shot. You knew you were going to make mistakes. Had a pretty solid day.”
With her consistent performance, Andrea Lee joined Korda at 12-under 204 after three rounds of 68. Yealimi Noh made waves with a chip-in eagle on the 16th, closing with a 67 and standing just three shots away from the lead.
Thitikul’s journey to the top included a strong opening with a 64, enduring through a 73, and embracing Saturday’s powerful winds to notch four birdies early on. Despite a setback on the par-4 sixth, she quickly recovered, finishing strong with several birdies to maintain her lead.
As the final round looms, with an earlier start to accommodate CBS’s 3 p.m. broadcast, the potential for lower scores looms if the winds subside as anticipated. Boutier, remaining optimistic, shared, “It’s supposed to be a bit less windy. I’m assuming the scores are going to be kind of low, too. We’ll see what happens, but happy to be in this position.”