NAPLES (Fla.) – Lydia Ko doesn’t want to see it as a match-play Sunday. Ko is tied with Leona Maguire from Ireland, who was the hero of last years European Solheim Cup team.
Ko could win the Rolex LPGA Player Award, the Vare Trophy and the World No. With a win and the record $2million prize, Ko could clinch Rolex LPGA Player of the Year and Money Title. Maguire’s lion-hearted reputation could continue to grow.
Maguire said, “I’m just as competitive as they get,” and earlier this year was the first Irish player to win the LPGA.
Maguire started the day seven shots behind Ko. However, a flawless 9-under score of 63 helped her to tie Ko at 15 under. Maguire was able to drop putts all day as she watched them swirl around the cup. She only needed 25.
Maguire said that the Solheim Cup was an important part of his journey. He collected 4.5 points at Inverness. “I have a lot of gratitude to Beanie (Catriona Mattingly) for picking me. But the most important thing was my confidence in being on that team, playing all five matches as well as they did.
Maguire and Ko duel will not be the only ones to play. Officials have decided to split the tees into threesomes for round 3. With the incoming storm, officials expect the weather to change in the afternoon. After a second consecutive 68, Jeongeun Lee6, former champion of the U.S. Women’s Open, will be joining the pair.
Leona would become the second-largest winner’s cheque by an Irish golfer if she wins the $2million tomorrow. Ko tied with Leona on 15-under, 5 clear. McIlroy won $2.25m in The Players in 2019. Lowry $1.93m in Portrush. Harrington $1.54m in Carnoustie. Clarke $1.45m Sandwich
— Brian Keogh, @IrishGolfDesk November 19, 2022
Ko leads the POY race one point ahead of Minjee Lee. She could win the award for first time since 2015. She could also be ranked No. She could also rise to No. 1 for the first-time since 2017. The Kiwi spent a total time of 104 weeks at top. Ko would need to win and be ranked No. 1 Nelly Korda finishes solo 21st, or worse. Korda currently is tied for 12th.
Ko posted on Instagram last month that she and Sean Foley, her swing coach, were ending their collaboration. She began working with Ted Oh and Foley over the summer. Ted Oh was someone she had previously worked with. Oh is currently in Naples.
She said that Ted and Sean wanted me to be able to swing naturally and not to make an exact swing.
Lydia Ko, New Zealand, plays her shot at the 15th fairway during round three of the CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon golf club on November 19, 2022 in Naples. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images).
Ko stated that she will not consider tomorrow a match-play scenario because it is difficult enough to fight herself. Ko also expects someone else to take a charge.
She said that she just wanted to play golf that she doesn’t regret.
Gemma Dryburgh, a Scotswoman, is five shots behind Lee6 at 10 under. Dryburgh won the Japan Open earlier in the month.
Dryburgh had only one sponsor when she first entered the Ladies European Tour. She lost her first sponsor, and was able to get some assistance from the Scottish Golf Union. However, that one also dried up. Beaconsfield Golf Club members set up a trust for her, as she was without a sponsor.
Dryburgh, who won the Toto Japan Classic two weeks ago, made $300,000 more in one week than she had in any of her four previous years on the LPGA. She is now five points behind as she chases a second win and a $2,000,000 prize.
Dryburgh said, “Just taking the Japan confidence into the week.” “Been swinging well and putting well, so just kinda riding all that confidence at the moment. It’s been great to be in contention. It’s impossible to predict what might happen tomorrow.
