Carlota Ciganda (-6) has done it again. The Navarrese golfer has created an opportunity for victory in a Major with 18 holes to go. Whatever happens this Sunday in the final round of the Chevron Championship, she will either take her first victory or not. But no one can take away the merit of her persistence. Of knocking on the door until exhaustion. Of giving herself chances. Of believing. Ciganda will start three shots behind the two leaders, the Korean Haeran Ryu (-9) and the Japanese Mao Saigo (-9). That’s what she needs to reduce tomorrow to lift the first Major in the history of Spanish women’s golf.
It’s not the first time Carlota has been in this situation. There have been several Majors in her career where she has been in contention with 18 holes to go. However, the truth is that so far, the coin has always landed tails. The next goal, which hasn’t happened so often, should be to reach the last nine fully in the fight. To do this, she must start well, applying pressure, avoiding mistakes, but without losing the necessary aggression that allows her to find the birdies she needs. The putt must take a step forward.
Carlota is sixth, and ahead of her are the two aforementioned leaders, as well as Lindy Duncan (-8), Sarah Schmelzel (-7), and Yan Liu (-7). Two Americans and a Chinese. The Spaniard is the only European with a chance of victory. She is the last bastion. There is no other for miles around. The closest is Emily Perdersen (-3), who will start from 19th place, three shots behind Carlota. This must also be valued.
As the tournament stands, it is most likely that Carlota will need the best score of the day this Sunday if she wants to aspire to victory. There is no other way. The goal should be to score under 70. Today she stopped right at that mark, a good result, a good round of golf, but she herself felt it was a bit short. Be very careful because it is not easy to score under 70 at The Club at Carlton Woods, the Texas course where the tournament is played and which has become an eternal challenge. It is heavy due to the rain and is being played from the back tees. A paradise for big hitters like Ciganda.
In the third round, only two players have managed it, precisely the two leaders. That’s why Carlota’s 70 deserves credit, the third-best round of the day, although to win, a bit more will be needed. She knows it, and above all, she is clear that she is at a point in her sporting career where only a victory in a Major will truly change her career. Of course, it’s important to add a top 10 or finish among the top five, but for the brave golfer from Ulzama, only a victory in a Major can really change her career.
It won’t be an easy Sunday for anyone. The two leaders have their pedigree, but they still don’t know what it means to win a Major. Neither do Duncan, Schmelzel, or Liu. However, Haeran Ryu has been knocking on the door recently. Last year she made the top 10 in three of the five Majors and has been winning on the LPGA Tour for two consecutive years. It seems her next natural step, but it’s not easy. Saigo, on the other hand, has won a lot in Japan, but she still needs to establish herself on the international stage. She will have her opportunity this Sunday.
Given the absence of the vast majority of the great references in the world rankings, Lexi Thompson, Ariya Jutanugarn, or Ruoning Yin, all tied with Carlota, should not be overlooked tomorrow.
