Ally Ewing slumped to a three-over round of 75 as her lead at the AIG Women's Open evaporated in the third round, but the American remains defiant about her prospects of claiming a first Major title.
Ewing will start the final round on Sunday in fifth, two shots behind the leading pair of Charley Hull and Lilia Vu, after a frustrating round on Saturday. She started the day five shots clear, but had six bogeys in an error-strewn performance as her putter went cold, with the 30-year-old appearing to be tentative after three-putting the first on a windy day at Walton Heath.
Ewing assessed: "Obviously the situation was tough, coming out in pretty windy conditions. It took me a little bit longer than I would have liked to settle in. The nerves were obviously there but, at the same time, I was mentally in a good place to know that I was going to be presented with challenges.
"I didn't execute shots quite like I wanted to early on but I fought really hard today, and you know I'm teeing it up tomorrow (Sunday) with still a great chance to win this golf tournament."
After opening up with 68 and 66 to get to ten-under, Ewing had threatened to run away with the competition and the $1.35 million first prize. However, she was three-over at the turn in a display which was far from convincing.
This only seemed to encourage the chasing pack, with the likes of Hull and Vu shooting four-under and five-under respectively to get to nine-under. Yet Ewing says she will take heart from her gutsy back nine with three birdies and three bogeys to remain in the hunt for the Major.
She added: "I didn't lose any confidence other than I gritted my teeth when it wasn't great, and I still gave myself a chance to win this golf tournament. Certainly, would I like to go out free-spirited and shoot another 66? Yes. But the test was hard. And regardless of what the scores showed at the end of the day, I fought and gave myself a chance."
-
King Charles III Becomes Patron Of The Royal & Ancient Golf Club Of St AndrewsThe monarch has followed his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in accepting patronage of the Club
-
‘It Does Become A Lonely Place’ – MacIntyre On Stark Difference Between PGA Tour And EuropeThe Scot admits settling into life on the PGA Tour has been tough in recent months
-
Nelly Korda Joins Tiger Woods In Exclusive Club After Impressing At 2024 Met GalaThe women's World No.1 was spotted at arguably the most prestigious fashion event on the planet days before she attempts to win a record sixth LPGA Tour title in a row
-
Cognizant Founders Cup Prize Money Payout 2024Jin Young Ko defends her title as players compete for a purse of $3m for the fourth successive year
-
Epson Tour Player Cards One Over Par Round Despite Septuple Bogey 11Shuangshuang Fan had a moment to forget at the Casino Del Sol Golf Classic, with the 19-year-old carding a septuple bogey 11 at the par 4 fourth hole during her second round
-
Making The Cut's Not Enough - LET Pro Details How Finishing Outside Of The Top-25 Can Actually See Players LOSE MoneyHannah Gregg has described how even making the cut can see her lose money for a tournament week due to the worrying lack of prize funds on the LET
-
JM Eagle LA Championship Prize Money Payout 2024There’s a record purse for a regular-season LPGA Tour event at Wilshire Country Club
-
Two-Time Major Runner-Up Amy Olson Announces Retirement Aged 31The LPGA Tour pro, who has been on maternity leave since last year, made the announcement on social media
-
Angela Stanford’s Pursuit Of 100 Consecutive Majors Could End Painfully Short After Two Huge BlowsThe 46-year-old had been hoping to make a 99th successive Major appearance at the US Women's Open, but a double blow means her options are slimmer than ever
-
Nelly Korda's Fifth Straight Win Helps NBC Record Most-Watched Chevron Championship In Over A DecadeThere was a peak TV audience of almost two million on Sunday evening as Korda picked up the second Major of her career
