Pornanong Shoots a 65 for tied 6th at LPGA Bahamas
Pornanong Phatlum produced an error free 65 to fall behind eight shots behind American duo Stacy Lewis and Lexi Thompson after the Saturday's third round of the LPGA Pure Silk Bahamas Classic.
Playing her second tournament after finishing at tied second in the Taiwan Ladies Classic in the first week of January, Pornanong continued to show her impressive form in the LPGA season-opening event, firing four birdies at the front nine and four more at the back before ending her three-day-total of 15-under-par 204.
“I have been working on my mental aspect and it’s showing good results. It helps me a lot in terms of my confidence,” added the 27-year-old from Chaiyabhum who was at tied sixth along with Nelly Korda and Austin Ernst of the US.
“A lot of players were shooting good scores as there hasn’t been much winds in the last couple of days. But weather forecast says it’s going to rain which will make it more difficult for us. I have to really concentrate on my game and try to have fun.”
Lexi Thompson
Lewis eagled the final hole to seize a share of the lead alongside fellow American Thompson.
Lewis's 10-under par 63 at the Ocean Club course on Paradise Island included two eagles and seven birdies, and her 23-under par total of 196 put her level atop the leaderboard with Thompson, who followed her record-setting second-round 61 with a bogey-free 66.
Thompson had seven birdies in her sparkling seven-under effort. But after Lewis had joined her atop the leaderboard ,she was unable to separate herself again, three-putting for par at the 18th.
The duo were one stroke in front of American Gerina Piller, who carded her second straight 65 for 197. Overnight leader Brittany Lincicome was a further stroke back after a 69 for 198.
From there, it was five shots back to Israel's Laetitia Beck on 203 after a 66.
After record-setting scoring by Lincicome and Thompson over the first two days, the leaders were one stroke shy of the LPGA Tour's 54-hole record of 24 under par.
However, scoring conditions could be worse on Sunday, with inclement weather possible during the final round.
After four birdies on the front nine, Lewis holed out from the fairway for an eagle at the par-five 11th. She followed with birdies at 12 and 13 before her only bogey of the day at 14, but closed her round birdie-eagle.
