CO-LEADERS PACE, NORDQVIST MIRROR EACH OTHER
LEE-ANNE PACE and Anna Nordqvist shot almost identical bogey-free 64s yesterday to share the 54-hole lead at the LPGA Tour’s Meijer Classic. South Africa’s Pace and Nordqvist, of Sweden, started the third round with four birdies in the first five holes then closed with birdies on 18. Pace did one better on the final hole as her birdie came from off the green to finish as the co-leader at 18-under 198. Nordqvist, 31, will go for her ninth career win today at the Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan, while Pace is aiming for her second career victory. “I love this golf course, it reminds me a lot of home, I feel so comfortable on the course,” said Pace, who was born in Paarl, 65 kilometres (40 miles) northeast of Cape Town. “I’m hitting my irons really well. I’ve been striking the ball really well. I changed clubs earlier in the year and I’m feeling well.” Second round leader Ryu So-yeon of South Korea is just two shots back and alone in third after shooting a three-under 69 Pace and Nordqvist finished with eight birdies each, by going toe-to-toe on the back nine. The 37-year-old Pace’s only other victory on the US Tour was four years ago at the Blue Bay tournament. She has a half dozen career top 10 finishes on her resume.
Daniel Berger 76-71-66, Tony Finau 7572-66, Brooks Koepka 75-66-72, Dustin Johnson 69-67-77 Justin Rose (Eng) 71-70-73 Henrik Stenson (Swe) 71-70-74 Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Tha) 76-72-68, Patrick Reed 73-72-71, Jim Furyk 73-71-72
Brian Gay 73-74-70, Dylan Meyer 77-69-71, Tyrrell Hatton (Eng) 75-70-72, Branden Grace (RSA) 76-69-72, Ian Poulter (Eng) 69-72-76, Charley Hoffman 71-69-77
Gary Woodland 79-69-70, Zach Johnson 73-73-72, Xander Schauffele 72-74-72, Bryson DeChambeau 76-69-73, Justin Thomas 74-7074, Matthew Fitzpatrick (Eng) 73-70-75
Webb Simpson 76-71-72, Francesco Molinari (Ita) 75-72-72, Paul Casey ( Eng) 7373-73, Ryan Fox (NZ) 73-72-74, Russell Knox (Sco) 73-71-75, Russell Henley 69-73-77, Tommy Fleetwood (Eng) 75-66-78, Scott Piercy 69-71-79
Brendan Steele 72-73-75, Rafa Cabrera Bello (Esp) 73-71-76, Charles Howell 71-7277 RMC Sport: