Kirk & Wright Chasing Leaders
A birdie on the 18th saw Kirk fire another three-under-par 68 to be at eight-under-par, while Wright is a further shot back at seven-under-par. The pair is within strike of co-leaders South African Lee-Anne Pace and American Laura Diaz who sit atop at 11-under-par at the Marathon Classic presented by Owens Corning & O-I being played at the Highlands Meadow Golf Club in Sylvania Ohio.
Pace, fired a three-under-par 68. She got off to a solid start with two birdies and no bogeys in her opening nine holes. However back to back bogeys on the 11th and 12th holes halted her momentum. She got those two shots straight back with back-to-back birdies on the very next two holes. Another birdie 17th saw her come home in one-under-par.
Diaz, who has lead the tournament since the opening round, had a rocky start with a birdie and double bogey in her first four holes. However an eagle on the reachable par 4 9th help right the ship. She couldn’t pull away from the field on the back nine, posting one bogey and eight pars to sign for an even par round of 71.
On a course that is conducive to low scoring, anyone with four or five of the lead has a chance of lifting the trophy Sunday afternoon. American Jaye Marie Green fired the low round of the day, an eight-under 63 to charge up the leaderboard and is only one back from Pace and Diaz. Sharing third place with Green is former US Open winner, South Korean So Yeon Ryu (68).
Those four players will be looking over their shoulders, as lurking with intent at 9-under-par is Rolex World No.2 Lydia Ko. The Kiwi couldn’t get any momentum going for the majority of day, however a birdie-birdie finish has seen her move to within two of the leaders.
It will be a fascinating last round, Pace, who has won eight times on the Ladies European Tour, will be looking to capture her first LPGA title, while Diaz hasn’t won since 2002. While Ryu, won this title in 2012.
The two leading Australians are within strike as well. Kirk is one of six players at 8-under-par and tied for sixth position, while Wright (69) is at 7-under-par and shares 12th position with another six players. Of the other Australians in the field
Queensland’s Sarah Jane Smith is tied for 57th place after an even par round of 71 to sit at 1-under-par. Julia Boland is two shots further back at one-over after 71 today. Boland is tied for 67th place heading into Sunday.