Maguire had four straight birdies in the round and added two more late on to join 15-year-old Lydia Ko in pursuit of the $2 million pot; Watch the final on Sunday from 7pm on Sky Sports Golf and – for free – on the Sky Sports Golf YouTube channel
Last Updated: 19/11/22 11:23pm
Ireland’s Leona Maguire holds the lead in the final round of the CME Group Tour Championship in Florida.
Ireland’s Leona Maguire carded a one-under 63, which saw her catch Lydia Ko for the lead after three rounds at the CME Group Tour Championship in Florida and set up a thrilling final race for the richest prize in women’s golf. .
Maguire, one of 11 first-time winners on the LPGA Tour this year, reeled off four straight birdies in the round and added another late in her remarkable run that put her in contention for the $2 million prize at Tiburon Golf Club. .
His biggest money-making rival, Ko, was five shots off to start the third round – seven shots ahead of Maguire – but a mix of birdies and bogeys held him back. He fell behind Maguire at one point until he reached the par-five 17th en route to a round of 70.
The forecast for Sunday’s final round is rain and 20 mph winds. “There’s nothing I’m not used to in Ireland,” Maguire said after completing his round.
“At the end of the day I just have to go and play as well as I can, especially if it’s bad weather, that’s all you can control. We’re looking forward to the final walk of the season tomorrow.”
Maguire and Ko have a five-shot advantage over former US Women’s Open champion Jeon-Geun Lee of Korea and Gemma Dryburgh of Scotland.
Elsewhere, Brooke Henderson kept her hopes low to be player of the year. The Canadian, who had to withdraw last week with a back injury, had two bogeys in his round of 65 and was nine under, six behind the leaders.
Henderson must win the CME Group Tour and Ko must finish third or worse to win player of the year.
Watch the LPGA Tour’s CME Group Tour Championship final on Sunday from 7pm, live on Sky Sports Golf and – for free – on the Sky Sports Golf YouTube channel.
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