Schmelzel and Valenzuela Lead the Dow Championship
In an exciting day at the Dow Championship, Sarah Schmelzel and Albane Valenzuela took the lead in the third round, solidifying their position for what could be their first victory on the LPGA Tour. With an outstanding performance, they achieved a score of 68 strokes, two under par, in the alternate shot format. This result positions them with a total accumulated score of 197 strokes, 13 under par, in the Midland Country Cup. The duo had started with a 68 in the first round, also in alternate shots, and continued with an impressive 61 in the second round, playing under the best-ball format.Jin Hee Im and Somi Lee’s team, along with Manon De Roey and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, are close behind, one stroke away, with a 68 and 69 respectively.You’re a little on edge most of the day, hoping not to get your partner in trouble. We were very solid. I feel like we had a very good attitude throughout the day. I think we both took each shot as it came.
Sarah Schmelzel
Jennifer Kupcho and Leona Maguire, who were leading after the second round with a 60, finished with a 72, tying for fourth place with Lauren Hartlage and Brooke Matthews, along with Sung Hyun Park and Ina Yoon. Lexi Thompson and Megan Kang, along with Rio Takeda and Miyu Yamashita, are also in a prominent position, with a cumulative score of 10 under par. The current champions, Ruoning Yin and Jeeno Thitikul, both in the top 5 of the women’s world ranking, are at a total of 9 under par. Schmelzel and Valenzuela managed to stay calm in the last seven holes, securing their lead with four birdies and two bogeys in the round.I am very proud of us. We endured. We fought until the end.
Manon De Roey
I feel like we had a really good day. Our goal in foursomes was to get a low couple or maybe a little better. We had some mistakes, and that’s going to happen in this format. We also did a lot of really good things.
Albane Valenzuela
