South Korea’s A Lim Kim has maintained her three-shot lead over Swede Linn Grant going into the final round of the LPGA Tour’s season-opening Tournament of Champions in Orlando.
Neither blinked as they both shot five-under 67 in the final group at Lake Nona on Saturday.
Trying to complete a wire-to-wire victory for her third LPGA Tour title, Kim holed out from greenside bunkers for eagle on the par-5 ninth and birdie on the par-4 14th.
The 29-year-old also birdied the par-4 18th to get to 15-under 201.
Kim has a field-best 81 putts in three rounds. She won the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open and 2024 LOTTE Championship and has three victories on the Korean tour.
“My goal, my starting goal always my job, not result,” Kim said. “So, I really focus on my prepare, process, and then, just hit it. That’s all. So my position, I don’t care. That’s not important for me.”
The 25-year-old Grant, who won the 2023 Dana Open for her lone LPGA Tour title, also closed with a birdie.
“Really trying to figure out where I’m at, all the changes I’ve done, how that feels, and really just trying to get every shot as good as possible,” Grant said.
“I think that mindset is good to have any week. It’s just easier now than in the middle of the season.”
Defending champion Lydia Lo and top-ranked Nelly Korda were tied for third, four strokes behind Kim. Ko had a 65 for the best round of the day, and Korda shot 67.
“Everything has been pretty solid,” Ko said. “Even the first day I hit the ball decent. Really struggled on the greens. I think that part of my game has improved the most the past couple days. Golf is strange.”
Australian duo Minjee Lee and Hannah Green were well back.
Lee posted a 70 to be tied 12th in the 30-player field, 11 shots from the lead.
Green was a further three shots adrift, tied 20th after a 74.
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