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."
-
Unearthed Ryder Cup Ticket Reveals Startlingly Low Cost Of Former ContestFormer pro, Ken Brown, has shared a ticket order form to social media which demonstrates how much the famed match-up used to cost
-
LIV Golf Responds Following Rules Incident At Promotions EventDuring the third playoff hole of the second round, Ollie Schniederjans used the rules to his advantage but, following the incident, it caused some reaction online
-
Nelly Korda Debuts New TaylorMade Driver At Grant Thornton InvitationalThe World No.1 was spotted using a TaylorMade Qi35 Max driver, which appeared on the USGA’s Conforming Clubs list earlier in the week
-
Grant Thornton Invitational Prize Money Payout 2024How much money is on the line at the Grant Thornton Invitational?
-
R&A Introduces New Transgender Policy For Top Women's Golf EventsThe R&A has introduced a new transgender policy prohibiting golfers who have been through male puberty from taking part in top women's events
-
Tony Finau Pulls Out Of Grant Thornton InvitationalTony Finau has withdrawn from the Grant Thornton Invitational due to a knee injury, with his place alongside Nelly Korda being taken up by Daniel Berger
-
NCAA Div 1 Champion, World No.14 And LET Winners Amongst 26 Players Who Secured 2025 LPGA Tour CardsAfter almost a week of drama, 26 players have secured their playing rights on the LPGA Tour for 2025, with 10 rookies joining the top circuit
-
American Pro DQ'd From LET Q-School Without Hitting A ShotGabby Lemieux travelled over to North Africa for Ladies European Tour Q-School but was disqualified on the first morning of action
-
Grant Thornton Invitational Odds, Picks And PredictionsThe mixed pairs event returns for another year, with 32 of the biggest names from both the PGA and LPGA Tour circuits featuring once again
-
Nelly Korda One Of Three Golfers In Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2024 As Tennis Continues To DominateKorda topped the total earnings for a female golfer in 2024, but one of her rivals picked up more money from on-course achievements...
