Korda Remains atop Blue Bay LPGA


Though her start was less than auspicious, American Jessica Korda overcame a double-bogey on the par-4 first hole on the Jian Lake Blue Bay course on Hainan Island, China, carding seven birdies the rest of the way for a 5-under 67 and a share of the lead in the $2 million event.

Korda opened with a 6-under 66 Thursday. After heavy rains washed out Friday's second round, she still held a one-stroke lead entering Saturday in the tournament, which has been reduced to 54 holes.

The 21-year-old from Bradenton, Fla., was joined at the top of the leaderboard by South African Lee-Anne Pace - who carded a 67 - at 11-under 133. One stroke back is South Korean Chella Choi (66).

Korda later told reporters that her mindset wasn't quite right when she began play. "I got a little frazzled there as I was walking to the first tee box and then obviously didn't hit a good shot," she said. "I just I tried to forget about it, tried to bring it back."

The three-time LPGA winner - who has two titles this year - was impressed with the condition of the course considering the amount of rainfall it's absorbed. "The golf course is draining incredibly well for how much rain we got," Korda said. "The bunkers are obviously a little wet, but other than that, it's amazing how well it's responded to how much dumping it's gotten."

Pace is looking for her first LPGA victory. The 33-year-old has nine wins on the Ladies European Tour. "I played pretty decent," she said. "I made quite a few putts already by that stage and then the putter just started rolling nicely toward the end."

Only two behind the co-leaders are Americans Michelle Wie (68) and Brittany Lang (68), and China's Shanshan Feng (68). The 25-year-old Feng won two weeks ago in Malaysia.

"I hung in there today," said Wie, who is making her second start after re-injuring her right hand and had to withdraw from the Evian Championship in September. On Saturday she carded five birdies and a bogey.

"It was one of those days where I hit a couple of loose shots, and just things didn't feel as comfortable as they did yesterday, but it was one of those rounds where I just kept it together, had some good par putts, and yeah, just one of those things where I just kind of - I hung in there, felt good coming in, so hopefully (Sunday) I feel a lot more comfortable and make some more birdies," noted the 2014 U.S. Women's Open champion.

Tied for seventh at 136 are American Danielle Kang (68) and Germany's Caroline Masson (69), while another stroke back are the USA's Austin Ernst (66) and Chinese amateur Wanyae Lu (68).

For all the scores, visit www.lpga.com.