Hae Ran Ryu holed out for eagle on the 11th hole to regain control of the Black Desert Championship, firing a 4-under 68 to maintain her two-shot lead as the LPGA Tour returns to Utah for the first time in more than 60 years.
Ryu’s looking to continue an impressive streak — she’s won at least one tournament every year since she was an 18-year-old competing on the Korea LPGA. That’s six straight years with a victory.
Her biggest challenge heading into Sunday’s final round comes from Ruoning Yin. The former Women’s PGA champion put together a stunning 10-birdie performance at Black Desert for a tournament-best 62, climbing within two shots of the lead.
It wasn’t always smooth sailing for Ryu, who started with a two-shot advantage but was caught twice during Saturday’s round.
Somi Lee briefly pulled even with early birdies before her round unraveled with a double bogey on No. 6. She didn’t manage another birdie until the 18th, by which point she had played herself out of contention.
Esther Henseleit of Germany also caught Ryu, but the tie didn’t last long. Standing in the 11th fairway just 82 yards from the pin, Ryu’s wedge caught the slope perfectly, spinning into the cup for an eagle that restored her lead.
Henseleit made a clutch 10-foot birdie putt on 17 to get within one shot. But disaster struck on the final hole when her drive found the black lava rocks, forcing her to reload from the tee. After a decent approach, she missed what seemed like a routine 3-footer and made double bogey. Her 68 leaves her three shots back.
“I guess you have to just think about the good shots you hit,” Henseleit said.
Ryu had a chance to extend her lead on 18 but missed a birdie putt from about the same distance as Henseleit’s par attempt.
At 18-under 198, Ryu finds herself in familiar territory. She shared the 54-hole lead at last week’s Chevron Championship before struggling to a final-round 76. Her most recent victory came last year at the FM Championship — another tournament making its LPGA debut.
Yin, who three-putted during the five-way playoff at last week’s Chevron to miss out on a major title, started the day eight shots behind before posting her blistering 62.
“I’m just going to keep saying this: Stay in the present and the past is the past,” Yin said. “I mean, you cannot guarantee every day is going to be a good day like today, but you just got to keep trying and keep trying to have a great day.”
Sunday’s final round will feature earlier tee times due to rain in the forecast.
