LPGA Classic 2021 R2
October 01-03
Seaview, Bay Course, Galloway, New Jersey
$1,750,000
Round 1, Round 3

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

South Koreans Jin Young Ko and Inbee Park, numbers 2 and 3 in the world respectively, are heading into the final round tied for the lead having both signed for rounds of 66-65 at Seaview, after both produced 13 birdies, 21 pars and two bogeys over the first 36 holes.

LPGA Classic 2021 R2

The one difference between their rounds on Saturday seemed to be the wind with Ko facing light breezes in the morning while Park dealt with gusting winds in the afternoon.

“It was a little windier out there, but the weather was a bit warmer than yesterday morning. So, striking the ball a little bit better than yesterday,” said Park. “Bogey-free would've been nice, but one bogey on No. 8. Hit over the green with the downwind, just didn't get up and down.”

LPGA Classic 2021 R2

Park has won once this year, at the Kia Classic in March, while Ko is searching for a third victory in her last five starts. She is a combined 48-under in her last 16 rounds.

“I would say my game was perfect on the front nine and is [overall] pretty good, like better than earlier in the year,” said Ko. “I changed my swing coach [last year], so swinging or putting, everything is getting better right now.”

LPGA Classic 2021 R2

Since KPMG Performance Insights began tracking stats in June, Park, a 21-time LPGA champion, is converting 63% of her putts from 10-15 feet, which greatly outshines the LPGA Tour average of 29%.

“Jin Young is a really, really good player, too, so I think it'll be really fun out there tomorrow playing with her,” said Park. “Obviously, you need some birdies out here to win tomorrow. Knowing the No. 2 player in the world is hunting for the same thing I am hunting for, definitely need a good performance.

“I'm putting very good the last couple days. Holed some really, really good putts. I think that's what we need on this golf course, and I have been doing that. When I got speed right, I got the line right.”

LPGA Classic 2021 R2

Second-year rookie Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand will join them in the final grouping on Sunday. She fired a bogey-free 65 in the second round and lies two shots back at 9-under. Tavatanakit won her first title at the ANA Inspiration in April.

“I was really focused the last two rounds and haven't really felt that intensity on the course in a while,” said Tavatanakit. “I feel like it got me back into a good momentum going into last couple weeks of the season. I want to enjoy it more because a couple of times I have been in contention, I tried too hard to force things to happen and I didn't really enjoy it.”

American Brittany Lincicome (67) and Dane Nanna Koerstz Madsen (68) share fourth place at 8-under. They will be joined by Australian Su Oh (65, T6) in the penultimate grouping.

LPGA Classic 2021 R2