sevendayweekender – Minjee Lee surged into a four-shot lead at the Women’s PGA Championship after carding a composed, bogey-free 69 in the third round. The Australian, a two-time major champion, now sits at six under par, with Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul trailing at two under. Lee’s calm under pressure and consistent shot-making on the challenging Fields Ranch East course in Frisco, Texas, have positioned her as the clear favorite heading into the final round.
Starting the day three shots behind the overnight leader, Lee executed a clinical performance under windy, punishing conditions. Her steady round included three birdies and no bogeys, one of only five sub-70 rounds in the entire tournament so far. Lee, who previously won the Evian Championship in 2021 and the US Women’s Open in 2022, credited her major championship experience as a key factor in her performance. She emphasized staying patient and not getting ahead of herself on a course that demands precision and mental resilience.
Thitikul Struggles as Conditions Challenge the Field
Atthaya Thitikul, who led the first two rounds, faltered under the Saturday winds and tournament pressure. She recorded a four-over 76, dropping from first to second place at two under par. Despite notching two birdies, Thitikul also made six bogeys, undoing the progress she had built during her earlier rounds.
The 21-year-old Thai player is still seeking her first major title and will need to rebound strongly in the final round to have any chance of overtaking Lee. Her Saturday performance reflected the toll the course and conditions took on even the best players. Thitikul’s challenge now lies not only in making up strokes but also in regaining her composure and focus under pressure.
Tough Start for Lexi Thompson and Tight Midfield Battle
American Lexi Thompson’s third round began disastrously with a triple bogey and a bogey in her first two holes. She managed to recover slightly, finishing with a 75 to sit at one over par. Thompson, a seasoned major competitor, expressed satisfaction in her mental resilience despite the early setbacks. She noted the difficulty of the course and was proud of maintaining composure after a “nightmare” start.
Tied with Thompson at one over are South Korea’s Hyo Joo Choi and Japan’s Mao Yamashita, both staying in contention despite the course’s harsh demands. Meanwhile, world number one Nelly Korda and Ireland’s Leona Maguire posted matching 72s to sit just behind at two over par. Both remain in reach but must produce exceptional final rounds to contend for the title.
Charley Hull Remains in the Mix After Rollercoaster Rounds
England’s Charley Hull, who had the best second-round score with a 69, followed it with a 73 on Saturday. Hull now stands at four over par. Though still within the top ten, she will require an aggressive and error-free final round to challenge the leaders.
Hull has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency across the three days. Her Saturday round included solid approach play but a few costly mistakes that prevented her from making a significant move up the leaderboard. Despite this, Hull remains one of the few players with a sub-70 round, showing she can score low if everything clicks.
Course Conditions and Wind Continue to Define the Championship
The Fields Ranch East course in Frisco has proven to be a formidable test for the field. With gusty winds and a demanding layout, only two players—Lee and Thitikul—are under par after three rounds. Tournament organizers have maintained a difficult course setup, leading many players to describe the experience as mentally and physically exhausting.
World number one Nelly Korda echoed these sentiments, calling the conditions “brutal” and expressing satisfaction with simply shooting par. As the tournament heads into its final day, strategy and mental toughness will be as critical as technical execution. With high scores dominating and only a few players finding success, the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to one of the year’s toughest major championships.
