Ernst set for showdown with Kupcho at LPGA Ocala
Austin Ernst fired a three-under par 69 at the Drive On Championship on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) to grab the first 54-hole lead of her career and a one-shot cushion heading into the final round.
The 29-year-old American finished with four birdies and one bogey to reach 13-under 203 for a one stroke lead over second round co-leader Jennifer Kupcho in Ocala, Florida.
“I had to work a little bit harder than I have had to work the last couple days,” Ernst said.
Kupcho, who is seeking her first LPGA win, made an eagle on her final hole for a one-under 70 to stand on 204 with a fivestroke gap to third place.
On a rainy day at the Golden Ocala course, Swiss Albane Valenzuela shared third after a bogey-free 66 that included six birdies. Patty Tavatanakit, with a 69 and American Jenny Coleman, with a 70, are also on 209.
Spain’s Carlotta Ciganda (75) and Danielle Kang (69) were a further two strokes back.
Ernst, chasing a third LPGA title, started her third round with two birdies in the first five holes. She chipped in for a birdie on the par-four ninth to move to 13-under for the tournament.
Her only blemish of the round was a bogey on the par-four 10th, but she rebounded on the next hole with her fourth and final birdie of the day.
Kupcho set the stage for her dynamic closing eagle with a fairway wood from 215 yards that just cleared the rocks and water fronting the green on the par-five 18th.
Laura Davies, the 57-year-old Hall of Famer, was four over after a 76. She’s playing on a World Golf Hall of Fame exemption.
Petra Kvitova thrashed Garbine Muguruza 6-2, 6-1 to win her second Qatar Open title on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).
The fourth-seeded Czech needed just over an hour to see off her fellow two-time Grand Slam winner.
It was Kvitova’s 28th career title from 38 finals played. “It’s been a great run — tough conditions,” said Kvitova after her victory. It followed her Doha title of 2018, which also came at the expense of Muguruza.
“I’m sorry for the second time, I hope we can meet somewhere else,” she added, nodding towards her vanquished rival.
Kvitova has won 20 career matches in Doha, the most of any player, passing Svetlana Kuznetsova and Caroline Wozniacki on 19.
Muguruza said that “every day is a new match, congrats to Petra with all the conditions — and for a second time she took the title away from me”.
Two-time Wimbledon winner Kvitova served first and went ahead, contending with the blustery conditions that shaped her hard-fought semi-final clash with American Jessica Pegula.
Muguruza had the benefit of a full rest day on Friday as her semi-final opponent Victoria Azarenka withdrew due to a back injury giving her a walkover into the final.
Kvitova clearly relished the chance of another Qatar Open title, the third time she has contested the tournament, saying afterwards that “it feels like home a little bit.”