LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Cheyenne Knight hit a 4-under 67 on Saturday to take a two-shot lead during three innings of the Los Angeles tournament at Wilshire Country Club.
Knight was at 9-under 204 through 54 holes, and her best round of the week was of particular importance.
Knight putt a 20-foot eagle par putt on the par 13 par 5 and par par 4 on the 17th to shoot a 3-under 33 on the back nine. Her late brother Brandon, who died in a car accident when Knight was 12, wore No. 33 while playing high school football in Texas.
Knight was torn when a PGA official mentioned her backhand total of nine.
“It’s always private,” Knight said. “I have someone there watching over me. He’s always with me.”
Hi-Run Ryu also shot 67 and had two shots alongside Hannah Green who shot 69. Knight and Green are the only players with three-rounders in the 60s at Wilshire.
Green played her first 12 holes in 3 overs, but has bowled five of her last six holes.
“I thought the prologue was actually quite difficult. The wind direction was a bit different, but it was also windy, so picking the right moments for the club I decided to hit was very difficult,” said Green. “I knew there were a few holes coming up that I could make some birdies on, but obviously Birdie 17 and 18 were a really nice finish, and I’m really excited about tomorrow.”
Gemma Dryburgh birdied three of her first five holes, shot a 66 and was well behind. Shiyu Lin (66) and second-round leader Aditi Ashok (72) were another shot behind.
Knight, ranked No. 60 in the world, won her only LPGA Tour title in 2019 at the American Volunteers Classic in her home state of Texas. Number 33 also appeared. I fired a 33 on all nine to close with a 66-shot.
Now, she is well positioned for a second victory.
“I think nerves are normal,” Knight said. “I will always be nervous and embrace nerves. If you’re not nervous, it means nothing to you. I’ll try to embrace nerves. That’s why I train. I want to be in these situations. I want to give myself a chance on Sunday.”