Lexi Thompson sits atop a packed leaderboard at 13-under par and holds the 54-hole lead at the ANA Inspiration in Rancho Mirage, California, the first Major of the year. Thompson leads Suzann Pettersen by two shots and has a large group of pursuers within five shots of the lead.
Thompson is looking to take another leap into Poppie’s Pond and pick up her second major championship and first win of the 2017 season. She carded six birdies on the day to finish at 5-under, hitting ALL 18 greens in regulation.
“Yeah, well, that experience always helps me out, but I’m just going to focus on tomorrow, focus on one shot at a time, relax out there between shots, and just focus on doing my routine, visualizing my shots out there,” explained Thompson.
To read Amy Rogers’s full recap of Saturday’s third round at the ANA Inspiration, click here: http://www.lpga.com/news/2017-thompson-leads-after-54-holes-at-ana-inspiration-recap
PETTERSEN’S TIME?
While she has never made the jump into Poppie’s Pond, Suzann Pettersen feels the Dinah Shore Tournament Course suits her game, saying, “I think I’ve always said since the first time I saw this place it really fits my eye.”
“I’m driving the ball well,” Pettersen said. “That’s a major key on this golf course, and if you do, you can kind of attack it, as well. So far, so good. I’ve got a big job to do tomorrow.”
A two-time major champion, Pettersen ranks third overall averaging 286.8 yards off the tee during the ANA Inspiration this week (leader Lexi Thompson is first overall, 289.5 average).
In her last nine starts at the ANA Inspiration, Suzann Pettersen has finished in the top-20 each time, including three runner-up showings. On Sunday, she will be looking for her first LPGA title since the 2015 Manulife LPGA Classic and her first major championship since the 2013 Evian Championship.
LEXI WHEN LEADING AFTER THREE ROUNDS…
This is the 11th time that Lexi Thompson has been the leader or co-leader after 54 holes in her career, including three of the last four ANA Inspirations. She has gone on to win the tournament five times, including her 2014 ANA Inspiration victory and most recently at the 2016 Honda LPGA Thailand.
