Date: April 28, 2013
Author: Australian Ladies Professional Golf
The 2012 LET player of the year, Carlota Ciganda, will be looking to capture her first LPGA title after firing a five-under-par 66 to be on top of the leaderboard with 18 holes to play at the North Texas LPGA Shootout in Irving. The Spaniard, who is playing in her rookie year on the LPGA, leads the field at 11-under-par after posting six birdies and one bogey on the Las Colinas Country Club layout. Ciganda hit 14 of 18 greens in regulation but only had 27 putts on her way to match her opening round of 66. It will not be an easy task for Ciganda as she has Rolex World No. 1 Inbee Park leading the chase. Park, who posted a four-under-par in the third round and second round leader Caroline Masson (69) are two shots back at 9-under-par. South Korean Na Yeon Choi also posted a 66 to move to 8-under-par and cannot be left out of equation. Four players share fifth position, including American Christina Kim and France s Karine Icher but they are a further two shots back. This group of players will have to go low on Sunday to have a chance, or hope the leader falters. Victorian Lindsey Wright signed for an even par round of 71, her round into two birdies and two bogeys. The 33-year-old is hitting the ball really well, she just needs to get her putter going, she had 36 putts today. Wright is at even par for the tournament and tied for 36th position. This tournament is unique in that it has a cut after the third round to the top 50 players and ties. The cut was made at one-over par and 51 players will contest the final round and for their share of the US$1.3 million on offer. Unfortunately Queensland s Sarah Jane Smith didn t have a good day, carding a six-over-par 77 to finish at nine-over. It what could be a first for the LPGA, when American Brittany Lang holed out on her last hole of the day, the 9th, her boyfriend Kevin Spann came onto the green and got down on one knee and proposed to Brittany. She accepted!