Jamie Farr Classic – 3rd Round

Se Ri Pak continues to lead the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic going into Sunday’s final round. Pak (-13) leads Morgan Pressel (-11) by two strokes. In-Kyung Kim is third at -8, Alena Sharp is fourth at -7, and five players are tied for fifth at -6.

Pak cruised most of the day, her lead usually consisting of four or five shots. Trouble struck at 16 when she clipped a tree with her approach and wound up taking bogey to drop to -12. Meanwhile Pressel was making a furious run, closing with birdies at 17 and 18 to total seven birdies over her last eleven holes and post a 64. Pak managed to birdie 18 to give herself a two-stroke cushion for the final round. Pressel stole Round Of The Day away from In-Kyung Kim, who birdied her first seven holes and made the turn in 27 to equal an LPGA record. Despite taking a +1 38 on the back nine, I.K.’s 65 has her in contention five shots back.

Jin Young Pak fell back to -3 as she carded a 74. Carri Wood’s 70 put her in the big tie for fifth along with Meg Mallon, who also posted 70. Mikaela Parmlid and Kim Hall secured the last two British Open qualifying spots with rounds of 71 and 72.

Obviously with the low scoring it is possible for someone to come from farther back but since Pak refuses to stop breaking 70, any player outside the top three is going to have to post a 63 of their own to even have a chance. I still like my pre-tournament prediction, but Pak versus Pressel is an intriguing final group.