It is undeniable that the name HSBC Women’s World Championship might sound a bit grandiose. This week’s event at the Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore remains a regular tournament of the LPGA Tour, with a reduced field, true, with a good portion of the best from the American circuit, also true, but a regular tournament nonetheless. From there to calling it a women’s world championship, well, it’s a stretch. Even more so when the World Number One, Nelly Korda, has decided to skip the event. That said, the reality is that an extraordinary Sunday has unfolded at the The Tanjong course, the course at Sentosa where the tournament is held. A battle of giants.
Lydia Ko (-10) has confirmed the overtaking that was already well established on Friday and has taken the lead in the tournament. She delivered a card of 68 strokes and placed herself at the top. She made seven birdies and three bogeys, once again displaying a more than solid game from tee to green. She only missed two greens in regulation out of the 18. The New Zealander confirmed her first position with a magnificent birdie putt of about five metres on the 16th.
Ko has a one-stroke advantage over Charley Hull (-9), who made those same 68 strokes. However, the way of achieving them is quite different. The exuberant English player is showcasing a fabulous short game this week in Asia. Today she signed four out of four recoveries, which are not easy on the Tanjong course, and has barely committed a bogey in the 54 holes played so far.
In third place is Jeeno Thitikul (-7), author of the best round of the day. She made 66 strokes, with an extraordinary production of seven birdies. Today she is the best golfer in the world when it comes to signing very low rounds. She has an enormous birdie capacity and a tremendous determination to never take her foot off the accelerator, even if it sometimes leads her to make mistakes. Today she made seven birdies and only one bogey. She has been very good on the greens.
Thus, in the absence of the Number One, Number 2 (Thitikul), Number 3 (Ko), and Number 9 (Hull) are in the fight. Additionally, if needed, behind them are Minjee Lee (-6), A Lim Kim (-6), or Hannah Green (-5), three Major winners. A high-flying Sunday in Sentosa.
Who will not be in the battle to win is Carlota Ciganda (-2). A bad finish, with two bogeys on the last two holes, has prevented her from placing herself on the edge of the top 10. She remains in the top 20 and with serious options tomorrow, if she signs a great final round, to finish among the top ten, but the final taste has been a bit bitter. Until that 17th hole, the Navarrese was having a very good round, in line with the first two days, with four birdies and two bogeys. She is struggling to recover this week when she misses the green, which is the difference between being in the top 20 or fighting for victory.
