MAINEVILLE, Ohio — Charley Hull shot a 5-under 67 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul after three rounds of the Kroger Queen Metropolis Championship.
Hull birdied 4 of her remaining eight holes to put up 16-under 200 at TPC River’s Bend. She credited her easy psychological strategy.
“I simply hit a ball and discover it and hit it once more, you already know what I imply? I believe that is the difficulty with many golfers — overthinking,” Hull mentioned. “It is only a recreation. Hit a white ball on the pin. Make a birdie or make a par, make a bogey, no matter, simply roll on to the following gap.”
Thitikul, searching for to develop into the primary a number of winner on the LPGA Tour this season, shot 68. The Thai star received in Might at Liberty Nationwide in Jersey Metropolis, New Jersey.
“I do know like right this moment, I believe I do have quite a lot of probability to make a birdie, however my putter did not come up right this moment,” Thitikul mentioned.
Hull has two LPGA victories, most lately in 2022. The English participant is coming off a runner-up end in Houston as a part of the Aramco sequence on the Women European Tour.
“Simply sort of not even fascinated by tomorrow,” Hull mentioned. “Wanting ahead to my fish tacos later tonight.”
Two Japanese gamers with victories this yr have been two pictures again: Ladies’s British Open champion Miyu Yamashita (66) and rookie Chisato Iwai (66).
Second-ranked Nelly Korda, who’s winless this yr, closed with an eagle on the par-5 18th to shoot 68 and was three pictures again alongside Yealimi Noh (64), Bianca Pagdanganan (66) and Mary Liu (68).
“I sort of light a 5-iron in there, somewhat managed 5,” Korda mentioned of her closing strategy from 201 yards, which settled about 15 ft away. “Tried to hit it somewhat greater so it would not shoot on the inexperienced, and did simply that.”
Second-round chief Chanettee Wannasaen light with a 75 and was six pictures again.
