NAPLES, Fla. — Angel Yin was making putts from across the green and threatening to build a big lead until Jeeno Thitikul carded an eagle-birdie in a 9-under 63 to share the lead on Saturday heading into the final round of the CME Group Tour. Championship with $4 million on the line.
Yin had a 69 after another day of big putts and one chip-in from about 60 feet for eagle on the par-5 sixth hole that put him well ahead at Tiburon Golf Club.
He made a 30-footer on the eighth hole, another birdie from about 25 feet on the ninth hole and another from 30 feet on the 12th.
Thitikul proved to be an afterthought until he flashed it on the back nine of 30. He started the back 9 with three straight bogeys, but made up quick ground at the end with his eagle on the par-5 17th and a birdie. in the closing hole.
A birdie gave him a slight lead until Yin birdied the 17th to join him. They are tied at 15-under 201, three shots adrift of Ruoning Yin, who shot the last two 66s.
Charley Hull had seven birdies in his round of 66 and was 11-under 205, along with Narin An of South Korea.
Nelly Korda, who returned to contention on Friday after a slow start, carded a 69 on a beautiful day that left her six shots back in the final round. Korda has won four of his seven LPGA titles this year coming from behind. This may be a tall order.
At stake is the richest prize in women’s golf, $4 million for the winner, about as much as Korda earned all year during her seven-win season.
Thitikul has already received a $1 million bonus this week through the Aon Risk-Reward Challenge, a competition based on players scoring points on a designated hole each week. Now he can travel to Florida with a net worth of 5 million dollars.
“Actually, $1 million is really worth it to me,” said Thitikul. “If I can get more, it will definitely be good, because as my team knows I spend a lot of money. That’s why I have to continue to play good golf, like spending on shopping day.”
Angel Yin felt great joy with his long birdie putts, and eagle chip-in. He also got a few pars after a bad drive. He went well left on No. 10, he did well to hit a blind shot just short of the green and get up-and-down with a pitch to 4 feet.
And then on the 13th, another tee shot went well left. He tried to get it back into play from just in front of some trees, and from 50 yards it hit the ledge to about 15 feet. He holed that putt, too, which kept him in front.
“I’m still scoring,” Yin said. “Making some mistakes, but saving a lot, so a lot of good.”
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