Kim Sei-young of Korea hits a tee shot on the fourth hole during the third round of the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro at El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana, Calif., April 18. AFP-Yonhap
LOS ANGELES — Kim Sei-young had an eight-stroke lead with five holes left Saturday at El Caballero Country Club in the JM Eagle LA Championship. She ended up needing to get up-and-down from off the back of the 18th green to salvage a two-shot advantage.
“Oh, wow, it feels like roller-coaster,” the 33-year-old South Korean said.
Her late meltdown with four straight bogeys gave two-time event winner Hannah Green and others who thought they were playing for second a chance Sunday in the final event before the first women’s major of the season.
“It’s golf. It can be happen again," Kim said. "It’s learn and then learn and learn. Mistake and then learn. Hopefully, success end of the day tomorrow.”
Kim shot a 1-under 71 to get to 15-under 201. Green, the 2023 and 2024 champion at Wilshire Country Club, had a 67 to join Suvichaya Vinijchaitham (67), Jessica Porvasnik (68) and Ina Yoon (71) at 13 under. Former UCLA star Patty Tavatanakit was another stroke back after a 67.
“I’m just going to go out there and play golf,” Tavatanakit said.
The tournament is being played at El Caballero for the second straight year because of course renovations at Wilshire. The Chevron Championship is next week in Houston for the first of the five women’s major tournaments.
A shot ahead entering to day, Kim birdied the par-5 first and all the other odd-numbered holes on the front nine, running in a 20-footer on the par-3 ninth for a seven-stroke lead. She pushed the lead to eight before falling back with the bogeys on Nos. 14-17.
Kim Sei-young of Korea reacts to birdie on the fifth hole during the third round of the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro at El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana, California, April 18. AFP-Yonhap
Source: Korea Times News
