The Woodlands, Texas — Americans Alison Corpuz and Angel Yin shared Chevron’s championship lead at 10-under 206 after the third round on Saturday.
Corpuz and Yen both shot 5-under-67 at the Carlton Woods Club in a major tournament that moved from the California desert to suburban Houston this year.
Corpuz started strong, with birdie on four of the first five holes, including the first three. She had a chance to birdie the 18th over in a bogey-free round, but her bowling rolled timid.
“I just tried to put myself in a good position, whether, and green,” she said. “Just hit some big shots in the beginning and I was able to convert the blows.”
Yin had four birdies on her back nine, most notably one on the 18th that sent her into a par for the first time.
“Even though I didn’t perform as well as I did on day one or day two, I managed to score really well, and I just adapted and stayed patient,” she said. “The caddy kept telling me to be patient, so I’m glad I did.”
Corpuz and Yin are both looking for their first LPGA Tour title, but they both have very different plans if they win this Sunday.
When the tournament—known as Dinah Shore—was held in Mission Hills, it was highlighted by the traditional victory jump into Poppie’s Pond, which flanked the 18th green. Winners have been jumping at it since 1988.
The organizers of this tournament have tried to preserve a part of this history and have a darker lake on the 18th, which has caused debate about whether the tradition will continue this year.
Corpuz said she didn’t think she would jump. Yin has a different plan.
“Let me win,” she said, laughing, “and then I’ll do anything.”
Saturday was a beautiful and sunny day after two rainy days forced the tournament to be delayed.
Round three kicked off after 31 players, including Yin, finished Saturday’s second round after not being able to complete it before Dark Friday night in the first women’s major of the season.
“I started working really early,” Yin said. “I was walking down 16, I was like, ‘Wow, I feel like I’ve been here before.'” Oh, you did it. I was here this morning. I think it really helped me warm up my body early in the morning [but] I’m tired.”
Amy Young, Albany Valenzuela and Megan Khange tied for third with a stroke to behind.
Yang has had eight birdies, including three in a row at No. 7-9 shooting a 65. Yang has four career wins, most recently at the Honda LPGA Thailand in 2019.
“I felt like my game was easier there,” she said. “Like everything seemed in sync, and every shot was so powerful. I didn’t think the course was easy, but my game was easy there.”
Valenzuela had five birdies and one bogey in the third round with a score of 68.
Khang shot a lead-off 33 in the ninth on Saturday but then calmed down with three bogeys in the last nine holes to finish with a score of 70.
“Everyone knows mistakes will happen, and trying to reduce them as best we can is our goal,” she said.
World No. 2 Nelly Korda was among four players tied for sixth place with eight minus zero. Korda, who shoots 70, is doing well after losing four months and much momentum last year with a blood clot in her arm that required surgery.
“It obviously means a lot, not being able to not play last year and a year from now in competition,” she said.
Lim Kim, who led after two rounds, had two bogeys and a double bogey on Saturday to shoot 72 and then fumble to finish sixth with Korda.
Top-ranked Lydia Koe and American Lexi Thompson were among those who didn’t make the cut which was more than one with 68 players in line.
A highlight of the third round was the Million Dollar Shot by NJ Chun of South Korea. She won $1 million for charity with one hole on the 17th.
Chun, who won the 2022 KPMG Women’s Championship, jumped and beat members of her team after watching the ball curve and roll.
Chevron has pledged $1 million to the first hole-in-one on 17 points to support Partners in Diversity, Inclusion, and Education. Money won Saturday will be donated to the LPGA Foundation and Girls Golf of Greater Houston.
Chevron took over sponsorship last year and moved to the Houston suburbs this year. The company, which has more than 8,000 employees in Houston, also donates $10,000 to each birdie on the 17th hole throughout the tournament.