Marathon Classic 2021 R3
July 08-11
Highland Meadows Golf Club, Sylvania, Ohio
$2,000,000
Round 1, Round 2, Round 4

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Nasa Hataoka missed just one fairway and one green on Saturday and closed her round with a 7-under 64 to take a six-shot lead at Highland Meadows Golf Club.

Marathon Classic 2021 R3

“When I first was here, it was my rookie year and I really played awful, so when I'm playing the way I am right now, it really makes me think how much I grew up, how much better I've gotten. Right now I'm not going to think about the winning. I'm just going to concentrate on playing the best.”

Hataoka set the tournament's new 54-hole scoring record at 19-under 194. The previous record of 195 had been set three times, by Se Ri Pak in 1998, Paula Creamer in 2008 and Eunjung Yi in 2009, all three of whom went on to win.

Marathon Classic 2021 R3

Hataoka has now led or co-led entering the final round of an LPGA tournament three times, winning the 2018 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship but finishing second at the 2019 Pure Silk Championship.

Elizabeth Szokol (67), in her third year on Tour, and Mina Harigae (68), in her twelfth year, are tied for second place at 13-under and will play in the final group on Sunday for the first time in their careers.

Marathon Classic 2021 R3

“I've seen the scores out here. Some girls, you can go really low out here, but you just never know. Golf is a funny game,” said Harigae. “I think if I just keep my head down and keep going forward, it might pan out.”

Szokol opened with a double bogey at No. 1 and looked to be out of the competition but seven birdies and one bogey later she was back in contention.

Marathon Classic 2021 R3

“There are so many birdies out there. I've definitely made some birdies even though I've had some colorful scorecard,” said Szokol. “I think (I can win). Just get the birdies and keep a clean scorecard, and I'm looking forward to it. ”

Esther Henseleit holds solo fourth at 12-under, continuing a strong streak of play that saw her finish fourth at last week's Volunteers of America Classic and 15th the week prior at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship.

Marathon Classic 2021 R3

U.S. Women's Open champion Yuka Saso (64), playing in her first non-major as an LPGA Tour Member, is tied for fifth at 11-under alongside Amy Yang (65), Austin Ernst (66) and Caroline Masson (66).

Ssu-Chia Cheng made a hole-in-one from 164 yards with a 7-iron at the 14th, for the second ace of the week and the 11th of the 2021 season. She closed with a 3-under 68 and is tied for 15th at 9-under.

With inclement weather expected on Sunday, the LPGA Tour moved up the final round tee times. The first groups will start at 7 a.m., with the leaders set to tee off at 9:28 a.m.

Marathon Classic 2021 R3