Two-time major winner In Gee Chun recovered from a tournament threatening neck spasm on Thursday to shoot a third round bogey free 66 to take her place at the top of the leaderboard, going into the final round of the 2022 HSBC Women’s World Championship at 12 under par.
World No.1 Jin Young Ko lies one back in tied second place, playing in the first event of her season. Ko ominously declared herself rust-free while fellow Korean Major winner, Jeongeun Lee6 fired a stunning 65, the low-round of the day, to leave her well placed to win her first event since her 2019 US Open victory.
In all, there are seven Major winners featuring in the top 10 on the leaderboard ahead of the final round. Danielle Kang is the highest ranked American in T4 alongside Korea’s Amy Yang and rising Thai star, Atthaya Thitikul, while Canada’s Brooke Henderson is in solo 7th a shot clear of Australia’s Hannah Green.
In Gee Chun said
On her neck spasm improving and her being able to hit a full swing again: “This is why I said I’m so happy because I made incredible swing today, and it was not much hurt. So that’s why I feel like tomorrow going to be really good.”
On nearly withdrawing on Thursday: “I almost thought like going to withdraw on Thursday because No. 11, it really hurt. And then the pain was really sharp. But then after I finished the third round, I talked to Megan, then we talk about golf. That’s why golf is so much fun, because I almost got withdraw, and then now I made a good score and made a bogey-free round today.”
Jin Young Ko said
On her round: “It was tough round because I had a lot of opportunities for birdies in the front nine, but I missed a lot of putt and then missed some chips. And then some things — I finished even on the front nine, and I really tried to make three birdies more on the back nine, but it wasn’t really helped.”
On keeping her streak going of consecutive rounds in the 60s – now standing at 14: “I had a little pressure for the record, but I made it…So I’m so happy. So I can’t wait to play for tomorrow.”
Jeongeun Lee6 said
On her round that included seven birdies, an eagle and two bogies: “I’m very satisfied with my results. So my swing is getting better these days. So I played comfortably. And I made six birdies in the front nine. So I can play easily the back nine. And then I made a bogey maybe 11. And then I made 13, eagle”
On how a swing tweak saw her shoot the round of the day: “Just I’m fixing my backswing. So my rotation position. So I focused on — I’m focused on just fixing rotation. And then when I’m nervous, my rhythm was a little bit off so I focus on just backswing rotation and then rhythm.”
Hannah Green said
Fresh from winning two events in Australia, the 2022 Vic Open and 2022 TPS Murray River: “I mean, it is the biggest stage, but it just feels like there’s more pressure to try and win out here. I had a good result last year, and then obviously having two wins already this season, you kind of put a little bit more pressure on yourself. So, yeah, it was just really nice to have a good round today and jump up the leaderboard.”
