Lee So-mi, Choi Hye-jin, and Kang Hye-ji maintained a three-shot gap with the lead until the third round of the Mexican Riviera Maya Open (total prize money of $2.5 million) on the LPGA Tour, looking to win their first debut.

Lee shot a 4-under 68 at the third round of the championship held at El Camaleon GC (par 72) in Playa del Carmen, Kintanaro State, Mexico on Saturday, and posted a total of 4-under 212. Lee, who elevated her ranking by 20 notches from the previous day, tied for fifth place with Jenny Bae (7-under 209) of the U.S. by three strokes.

Lee So-mi, who started to watch the first hole, jumped to the top by catching birdies in five consecutive holes from the second hole, and added two birdies and two bogeys in the second half.
Lee So-mi, who once topped the top 10 list after joining the LPGA tour last year, has never made it to the top 10 list this year. If Lee wins her first victory since her debut, she will also have a chance to participate in the U.S. Women's Open next week.

Kang saved three pars and elevated her ranking by 11 notches from the previous day. Since her debut on the LPGA tour in 2009, Kang has been steadily performing but has failed to win a championship. Kang Hye-ji, who recorded three birdies and three bogeys until the 13th hole, succeeded in a thrilling finish with a birdie on the 17th hole (par 4) and an eagle on the 18th hole (par 5).

"I had a chip-in eagle on the 18th hole, and this is the second time this week after the first putt eagle," Kang Hye-ji said. "Honestly, the green is slow, but you have to understand the distance well to hit it boldly." "I think the weather is the most important thing to win the reverse championship, and I will play as I have done for the past three days while replenishing moisture well in preparation for the heat," she said. If Kang Hye-ji wins, she will also be eligible to participate in the U.S. Women's Open.

Choi Hye-jin had three birdies and three bogeys to stay at even par, falling one notch lower in the ranking, and widened the gap with the lead by one stroke. However, if she succeeds in rushing on the last day, she is in a position to turn the tables, raising expectations. Choi Hye-jin has already secured a berth to participate in the U.S. Women's Open.

Korean-American Jenny Bae, who made her LPGA Tour debut this year after the second-division Epson Tour, started with three consecutive birdies, added two bogeys and became the lone lead in the previous day's joint lead, looking to win her first championship. 메이저사이트

Iwai Chisato (Japan) and Zhang Yahui (China) tied for second (6-under 210) by one stroke, and Gabriella Ruffles (Australia) ranked fourth (5-under 211).

Shin Ji-eun and Lee Jung-eun 5 tied for 12th place (3 under par 213).

Yoon Na-na, Ji Eun-hee, Kim Se-young, and Lee Jung-eun 6 were unfortunately eliminated by one stroke after the second round.