Nalin Ang started the back nine with five straight birdies before a bogey on the eighth hole left him alone in the lead on Friday at the third round of the Blue Bay LPGA at Jianhu Blue Bay Golf Course on Hainan Island, China. Instead, Sara Schmelzel, who made consecutive birdies on Nos. 12, 13 and 14, entered the weekend in the lead at 9 under. This is the first time the tournament has been held since 2018, with 2019 and 2022 not on the schedule, and 2020, 2021 and 2023 canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Under after 2 rounds 69.
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- Date: 9 March 2024
- Time: 12:00 a.m. ET
- TV: The Golf Channel
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After a second-round 72, first-round leader Minjee Lee lost two shots and is now tied for fourth with Ruixin Liu. After shooting an even-par 72 on Friday, Gaby López, the 2018 event winner and current reigning champion, is tied for 26th place at one under.
The winner will receive $330,000 from a $2.2 million prize pool and 500 points for the Race to the CME Globe standings. Stephanie Meadow, Lydia Ko, Bailey Tardy and Lucy Lee are tied for 6th place at 6 under, while Kim Seiyoung, Ayaka Furue, Olivia Cowan and Caroline Inglis are tied for 10th place at 5 under.
World No. 1 Lilia Vu withdrew from the event before the second round after opening with a 72. She competed in Singapore last week because she was ill and she was eliminated in the final round. Friday’s absence was listed as an injury. This opens the possibility for Celine Boutier to take the top spot with a solo finish of 3rd or higher. However, Boutier is well off the pace and sits in 36th place with the same odds.