Going into today, Peiyun Chien (Pingtung, Chinese Taipei) was tied with two other players for first. After carding a 2-under and finishing 14-under par overall after a birdie on the last hole, Chien takes the lead going into the fourth-and-final round at LPGA International.
“I feel pretty good today. A little pressure playing in the final group with the leaders, but I think I am doing well. A couple holes I saved on putt out there and on eighteen I made birdie, so it was a good day for me,” said Chien.
BIRTHDAY MOTIVATION FOR 18-YEAR-OLD LI
Following the third round, Lucy Li (Redwood Shores, CA), stands alone in second place going into the final round at 13-under par after 54 holes. To add to the week for Li, she celebrated her 18th birthday during the first round on Thursday.
“This year was interesting; you know with everything kind of shut down, I couldn’t really celebrate too much, but I got some birthday cake in the morning and take out for dinner, so it was good. Also, I had a good round on my birthday so that's always nice too.”
Li is currently No. 13 in the Volvik Race for the card after two top-five finishes this season, including a tied for 4th at the inaugural Four Winds Invitational. Tomorrow, she will play with the final group going off No. 1 tee at 11:50 a.m. ET.
“I've been putting really well this week which I think is something that is really good for my confidence. My putting has been kind of spotty before this so that's been really important this week especially today with a couple of really long putts.”
CANO KEEPING HER GAME AT THE TOP
Tied for second with Anna Redding (Concord, NC), Fatima Fernandez Cano (Santiago, Spain) finished the third round of the Epson Classic 2-under par and is four strokes back from the leader with 10-under par overall.
“Very happy with my 2-under today. Although I felt like some more putts could’ve dropped, I’m pleased with the way I was able to hang in there and post a round under par in some very tough conditions, especially with the heavy rain that we got for the last 5 holes.”
Earlier this year, Cano claimed her first win on the “Road to the LPGA” at the IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Resort & Spa. Currently No. 3 in the Volvik Race for the Card, Cano looks to add a third top-10 finish to the 2020 season.
“I have worked very hard during the off season, both in the winter and during the COVID-19 break, to get mentally and physically stronger. Also, to be able to be even more consistent with my game. Something that I have worked extra hard on has been my putting, and I think that so far it has gotten better.”
ARVIDSSON JUMPS UP THE LEADERBOARD
Elin Arvidsson (Falkenberg, Sweden) carded a 5-under par to go into day three 9-under par overall moving her up nineteen spots on moving day. Arvidsson’s round is highlighted by six birdies today.
“It feels great, I’m very happy about my game this week so far. Coming back to the US from Sweden only a few weeks ago, I knew my game was ready to compete, but it felt different to tee it up after such a long break and it didn’t go as I wanted.”
Last week, Arvidsson made her second start of the season and first since the COVID-19 break. After the Texas Tech alumna missed the cut, she is bouncing back and implementing what she worked on over the break in Sweden.
“This week has been much better and after 54 holes I’ve only missed 4 greens. I couldn’t be happier how my quarantine practice has paid off. It’s extremely fun to see things my coach, Ola Lindgren, and I have been working in motion during competition and working well. “
NOTABLE QUOTES
Frida Kinhult (-9, T5) on finishing day two with an eagle:
“It feels great to be in the top part of the leaderboard. I’ve been hitting the ball solid lately and these last two days I finally started to drop some putts to. Last week was one of my best ball striking weeks in a long time, but I couldn’t make a single putt. I made one putt over 10-feet, on my 54th hole, last week. I just tried to bring my tee to green game here this week and not worry too much about the putting. Just keep doing my routine and some putt will start to drop, which also happened, especially round 2 and 3 this week.”
Savannah Vilaubi (-9, T5) on having a positive attitude despite the rain:
“You have to keep the same attitude. The whole day was so nice, and I just tried to keep those light feelings even when the rain came in. Like right now I'm soaking wet and you have to laugh. We have the rain gear on board which definitely helped a little bit but yeah attitude over everything.”
Maddie McCrary (-8, T9) on her third hole-in-one in competition:
“I was kind of in between clubs but pulled the nine because I knew I can get it to the front of the green. I had a perfect shot off the ridge for it to come down and it went just right into the hole. Another ace, number seven and third in competition.”
PLAYER NOTES
Peiyun Chien
- Peiyun, 29, is a native of Pingtung, Chinese Taipei
- Won four TLPGA events (2009-2011)
- Played 11 events on the Epson Tour in 2012 and one in 2013 before focusing on playing in Asia until 2016
- Won the inaugural Kansas City Championship and finished 10th on the Epson Tour’s Volvik Race for the Card Money List to earn LPGA status for 2017 season
- Finished ninth on the TLPGA in 2015 and tenth in 2016
- Caddied for good friend Yani Tseng at the 2015 Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic
- Season-best T9 at the 2019 Cambia Portland Classic on the LPGA Tour
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