Coughlin leads by two shots going into the final round in the Aramco Championship
North LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Lauren Coughlin threatened for two days to run away with the Aramco Championship, but with the hilly Shadow Creek living up to its reputation as a high-scoring pars course, she had to work hard on her two-shot lead heading into Sunday’s final round.
Coughlin shot a 1-over 73 on Saturday, and his 7-under par for the tournament was one of five in the red.
“This golf course is really tough, especially if you hit the wrong spot,” Coughlin said. “I felt like I did a really good job today of getting into the spots, and when I get out a little bit, I make sure I go no worse than bogey.”
Nelly Korda birdied her final two holes to shoot a 69 to move to 5 under and into second place, setting up the final pairing of friendly rivals.
Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Miyu Yamashita were 3 under each and Leona Maguire was 1 under.
“The shade showed its colors a few days ago,” Korda said. “It was hard to play, especially the back nine.”
Hyo Joo Kim is unlikely to extend her LPGA Tour winning streak to three after opening the round with two holes and a double bogey over the first three holes. He dropped from a tie for second to 17 at 4 over after a 79.
Having a strike is one thing at this loaded event, which has a $4 million purse and is sponsored in partnership with the Ladies European Tour and part of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund Global Series. The real charge is another one as Saturday showed with several players coming close to Coughlin, but failing to make a difference.
Korda, the world’s second-ranked player and the 2024 champion of the event, came into the cages, coming within a stroke before Coughlin birdied the 5th 18th.
Korda started charging early after birdies on the third and fourth holes to get to 4 under. He then hung with pars over the next 10 holes before birdying the par-4 15th to drop to 3 under. But then Korda finished birdie-birdie.
This year is starting to look like a magical 2024 season for Korda, who won seven times en route to being named player of the year. He is certainly better than last season when he failed to record a win.
Through three races this year, Korda has a win and a second-place finish.
“I play really good golf,” Korda said. “I’ve been working really hard, but I’m proud of the work I’ve done in the last few weeks when I rested and I didn’t go to Asia where the tour is. I feel refreshed, I’m happy. I’m very happy to compete.
“Last year was a weird year where things didn’t go my way by inches. That’s frustrating, that’s why I like to take long breaks.”
Coughlin kept the win in 2024, finishing first in Canada and Scotland.
He almost won at Shadow Creek last year, too, when it was a playoff event. Coughlin made it to the final pairing before losing to Madelene Sagstrom.
His strong performance again this week shows that Coughlin can work his way around the course much better than most of his competitors.
“There are a few holes you can birdie, like the par 5s, 11, 12,” Coughlin said. “So you try to take advantage when you can and hold on for dear life to the other holes.”
