Ciganda Leads Into Final Round At North Texas LPGA Shootout
Two-time LET Tour winner Carlota Ciganda will try to become the fourth Spaniard to win on the LPGA Tour, as she’ll carry a two-shot lead into the final round of the inaugural North Texas LPGA Shootout at Las Colinas Country Club in Irving, Texas. Ciganda fired a 5-under 66 during Saturday’s third round to move from second into a two-shot lead over Rolex Rankings No. 1 Inbee Park and 2013 LPGA Tour rookie Caroline Masson.
Ciganda would become the first player in 2013 to earn the distinction of a Rolex First-Time Winner on the LPGA Tour and she said that it be a special moment to join fellow Spaniards Beatriz Recari, Azahara Munoz and Marta FiguerasDotti with the honor of being an LPGA winner.
“It would be unbelievable,” Ciganda said. “It would be a dream. I mean winning is always great, but I just want to try to focus on each shot. Just like today, have a great round and then at the end if someone plays better, just congratulate. And I think sometimes you have to lose. So just try my best, try my game and let’s see what happens.”
But to earn that distinction, Ciganda will have to beat out a talented group of players who are
chasing not far behind her. That includes Park, who shot a 4-under 67 on Saturday, is a five-time winner on the LPGA Tour and already has two victories this season. The 24-year-old South Korean moved into the top spot in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings just a little over a week ago. Masson, the first and second-round leader, also kept herself in the hunt for her first ever LPGA victory by shooting a 2-under 69.
Rolex Rankings No. 3 Na Yeon Choi also matched Ciganda for the low round of day with a 5-under 66 that jumped her from a tie for 11th into solo fourth at 8-under-par. Choi has three top-10 finishes already this season, including a season-best, runner-up finish at the HSBC Women’s Champions in Singapore. And while Choi is three shots back, she’s been labeled by the top player in the world as one to watch.
“When it comes to the final round, I think a more experienced player definitely has an advantage going into the pressure conditions,” Park said. “I think Na Yeon will be one of the ones to beat tomorrow. She had a very good day today. She’s really good friend of mine. We are really good friends. She was struggling a little bit with the putter last week, and you know, she changed her putting grip, and I think it’s working really good. “
