Sarah Shamelzer and Albane Walenguela of Switzerland together together with three four holes in the mid-round, took a one-stroke lead to 13-under equal at the Dow Championship at Midland (Mich.) Country Club.
Saturday’s third round was played in Folysum (optional shot), and in the final round the play will repeat Friday’s best ball competition. The tournament is a loan team event on the LPGA tour.
A pair of pair was woven in 12-under, a stroke from the lead. Jin Im and Somi Lee’s Korean pair shot 68 across the 2-endr, while Belgian’s Manon de Roa and France’s Polyn Russian-Bouchard posted 69.
Three teams, including overnight leaders Jennifer Kuppo and Liona Maguire, were 11-ends after 54 holes.
Schmelzer and Valenzuela began to play a shot behind the leaders on Saturday, but birds the first hole to reach the 12-under. They lost a stroke on the fifth hole, but the first to record 32 at nine to record 6, 7 and 9. The two had an unfortunate bogie on Par-5 11th, but finished the last seven holes for 2-iners par 68 cards and 13 undergraduate.
“I mean, just know in a way that it’s not going to be right,” said about today’s format. “Albane really did a good job if I really do nothing great to keep me in it. It’s all about continuity and my partner is not getting into trouble.”
IM and Lee played the Boey-free golf and recorded a birdy on NOS 1 and 9.
“My driver is very good these days, but sometimes my iron and then the punter is so much,” Lee said.
D Roe and Rousin-Boucarded were also for the day until a Birdi was posted on Par-4 17th.
“For me, this is my favorite event. I like this tournament very much,” said Russin-Boucard. “That’s what I was earlier telling Manon, it looks like a bubble because there are many things around it.
“People are just amazing. The stretch from the crowd is just crazy. (Holes) 18 with some type of island green, it is just so good that we can show for all and create a fierce atmosphere.”
Maguire and Kuppo, who finished second in 2024 with Ellie Ewing, fell into a tie for the fourth place, but the Irish player was optimistic after the Burdi-Burdee ended.
“I think it gives us a chance to go tomorrow,” said Maguire. “Just nothing is really happening today, but tried to be patient, tried to give himself an opportunity, finally on the last holes. Jane did two great puts.”
Walenguela, a three-time Olympian but a non-monitor on the LPGA tour, on Sunday considered the switch to play the best-ball.
“I just let Sara drive first because she hits it directly and then I just have to copy it. We are really spending a great time. Four balls are fun. You can sometimes be a little more aggressive. I think we have a really good game plan, a lot of fun with caddy, so do the same tomorrow.”
-Bield level media
