Japanese rookie Akie Iwai took control of the LPGA Portland Classic on Saturday.
The 23-year-old from Saitama shot an eight-under-par 64 in the third round. She finished the day with a total of 18-under 198. That gave her a two-stroke lead at Edgewater Country Club.
Iwai is chasing her first LPGA victory. She hit seven birdies and one eagle in her round. Her only mistake came with a bogey on the second hole.
Grace Kim of Australia followed in second on 200. She produced one of the shots of the tournament at the par-four 17th. From 156 yards out and deep in the rough, she holed her approach for a stunning eagle. She ended with a 67.
Iwai already has six wins on the Japan Tour. She also finished runner-up at LPGA events in Thailand and Los Angeles this year.
“After I made the eagle at five, I had many birdie chances,” Iwai said. “My style is aggressive. No change this week. Aim at the pin. Every shot. Every hole.”
Her approach at the 18th showed that intent. She struck the ball inches from the hole and tapped in for another birdie. It was her fourth birdie on the back nine.
She started her day with a bogey on the par-three second hole. She bounced back quickly with a birdie at the third. An eagle followed on the par-five fifth. Then she rolled in birdies at the sixth and seventh.
On the back nine, she kept the momentum. She birdied the par-five 10th and the 12th. Another birdie came at the par-three 13th to stretch her lead.
Kim stayed close with a late surge. She birdied the 14th and 15th before her eagle at 17. She admitted she didn’t even see the ball drop in the hole.
“I thought I would be stuck in the rough,” Kim said. “I leaked it right again and hoped it got through. Somehow it went in the hole. A little luck.”
Sweden’s Linn Grant sits third on 202 after a round of 65. American Gurleen Kaur follows one shot behind. India’s Aditi Ashok and American Gina Kim are tied on 204.
“I had a good round,” Grant said. “I tried to stay calm and just enjoy the day. I played mature golf and had fun.”
South Korea’s Jeong-eun Lee5, the leader after two rounds, slipped down the board. A triple bogey on the sixth hole pushed her eight shots off the pace.