Midland, MICH.-Sarah Shamelzel and Albane Walenguela took a third round lead in the Dow Championship on Saturday, shooting 2-under 68 in an alternative-shot play to go into position for their first LPGA tour win.
Schmelzel and Walenzuela extended a total of 13-under 197 in the final round of a better ball in the Middleland Country Cup. He opened with an alternative-shot 68 on Thursday and a best ball on Friday was 61.
“You are mostly on pins and needles during the day, just hope that you will not find your partner in trouble,” Sahmelzel said. “Just super solid. I think we had a really good approach throughout the day. I think both of us took each shot because it came.”
The teams of Jin He Im-Somi Lee (68) and Manon de Roe-Polyn Rousin-Bouchide (69) had returned a stroke.
“I am very proud of us,” said D. Roe. “We hang there. We fought till the end.”
Jennifer Kuppo and Liona Maguire, after one 60, bound the last two holes for 72, which finished fourth at 11 am with Lauren Hartage-Brux Mathews (66) and Sung Hyun Park-in-in (67). Kuppo won in 2022 with Lizet Salas.
“Just try and go down and try and post a number quickly and see what happens.” Maguire said. “I think it was good to see two puts going to the end.”
Lexi Thompson-Meghan Kong (68) and Rio Takeda-Mi Yamashita (67) were less than 10.
Defending champions Yin and Jeno were ruining Thaitikul, both women were under the top five in the world rankings, 67 after 9.
Schmelzel and Valenzuela crossed the last seven holes. He had four Birds and two bogies.
“I think we had a great day,” said Walenzuela. “Our goal in Foursom was just under a couple or perhaps a little better. We had some mistakes, and it’s going to happen in this format. We really did very good stuff.”
