Nordqvist sets record at Founders Cup

PHOENIX — Anna Nordqvist was right at home on another hot, low-scoring day in the Valley of the Sun. The former Arizona State player shot a tournamentrecord 11-under 61 on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead over Stacy Lewis and Ariya Jutanugarn into the final round of the Bank of Hope Founders Cup.

“They always say that home is where the heart is, and my heart is definitely still here,” Nordqvist said. “I always say I’m a West Coast girl and people remind me I’m from Sweden. But even though I live in Florida now, this definitely feels like home.”

Playing in record heat at Desert Ridge, Nordqvist broke the tournament 54-hole record of 19 under set by Ai Miyazato in 2013. Lewis and Jutanugarn each shot 66 in their third straight round together.

Lewis and Jutanugarn have had identical scores each day, with Jutanugarn getting the spot in the final twosome with Nordqvist today because she was listed first on the tee sheet Thursday. “We both played great the last three days and fed off each other,” Lewis said. “We were able to club off each other on par 3s and things like that.”

Earlier, about a dozen people protesting the U.S. Women’s Open being played at a course owned by U.S. President Donald Trump left peacefully after being asked to by security officials. The group protested for less than 30 minutes and a plane flew a protest banner over the course.

The U.S. Golf Association-run U.S. Women’s Open takes place in July at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.