STOELTING MAKING HER PRESENCE KNOWN

Jackie Stoelting may not be the most familiar name on the Kia Classic leader board, but she is certainly one of the most inspirational. The Florida native finally earned full LPGA Tour status in 2015 after spending five seasons on the Epson Tour. But 2015 was not the year she hoped for, as she made only two cuts in 18 events and was forced to return to the Epson Tour.

“Two years ago I was so close and got my card and then I felt like a failure in a way,” said Stoelting, who made only the fourth cut of her LPGA Tour career this week. “I really didn't want to end my career like that. I wanted to give myself one more opportunity out here.”

The 2016 Epson season was a highlight for Stoelting, who captured two victories and finished third on the Volvik Race for the Card money list to regain her LPGA Tour status. Now at age 30 and with her struggles hopefully behind her, she has a renewed sense of spirit and motivation.

“I went to Epson Tour, and from (2015) until now I've won four times,” said Stoelting, who is tied for eighth and will tee off with Mo Martin on Sunday at 12:50 p.m. “That was the biggest difference. A lot of people say, you're 30, you're 30. But the golf ball has no clue how old I am.”

RYU NEARLY TIES TOURNAMENT RECORD, BUT HAPPY WITH 65

So Yeon Ryu took Aviara Golf Club by storm early on Saturday, converting seven birdies over her first 10 holes. At that point, it looked like the tournament record of 8-under 64 might be in play. But Ryu cruised into the clubhouse with eight consecutive pars and finished one shy of joining Dori Carter, Morgan Pressel, Se Ri Pak and Ilhee Lee in the record books.

“After you made six birdies on the front nine, absolutely your expectation level is going up,” said Ryu, who finished tied for eighth and will join Karine Icher off the first tee at 1:10 p.m. on Sunday. “Every time when I have this situation I always talk myself. You know, like even though I shot 6-under (on the) front nine, nothing is different. You don't really try to do something special.”

VETERANS, NOT YOUNG GUNS, AT THE TOP

Much has been made the youth movement taking the LPGA Tour by storm. That’s not the case this week at the Kia Classic.

The average age of the top 12 players is just over 29 years of age. Cristie Kerr (39) and Karine Icher (38) are the oldest players in that group, with Sung Hyun Park (23) and In Gee Chun (22) the youngest.

On the season, the average winning age is nearly 28 years old through last week’s Bank of Hope Founders Cup (five events). Through that same event in 2015 (six events), the average winning age was 22.1.

QUICK HITS

Mirim Lee has two career LPGA Tour victories – the 2014 Meijer LPGA Classic Presented by Kraft and the 2014 Reignwood LPGA Classic.
This is just the second time that Mirim Lee has held the 54-hole lead, with the only other occurrence coming at the 2015 Kia Classic.
Mi Jung Hur has two career LPGA Tour victories – the 2009 Safeway Classic and the 2014 Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic.
Mi Jung Hur capped her day with a 67-foot birdie on the 18th hole, which she says is the longest putt she has ever made.
Should Cristie Kerr emerge victorious on Sunday, she would become the first multiple winner in Kia Classic history. She first took the title in 2015, when she made up a three-stroke deficit after 54 holes and captured a two-stroke victory over Mirim Lee.
Jackie Stoelting has earned just $10,398 in her LPGA career. She will at least double that if she finishes 37th or better.

QUOTABLE

“When I am playing my best, I don't know what my score is. I don't know what's happening. I am just kind of in my own little world with my caddie and we're just having a good time.” - Brittany Lincicome, on her mentality during today’s 5-under 67

Ryu's Nearly Record Round, Stoelting Gets Second Chance and More from Kia Classic

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