Championship Heats Up as Hull Chases Vu in Arizona
As the Ford Championship at Whirlwind Golf Club's Cattail Course in Arizona reaches its critical stages, an enthralling duel is unfolding. English golfer Charley Hull finds herself just two strokes behind current leader Lilia Vu, setting the scene for a gripping finale.
In the third round, Hull delivered an impressive four-under-par 68, showing both resilience and determination. Despite starting with a bogey on her opening hole and three-putting the 14th, Hull's performance was marked by a commendable string of six birdies. Notably, two of those birdies came in the closing trio of holes, reflecting her capacity to rally under pressure. Reflecting post-round, Hull encapsulated her day succinctly: "It is what it is and it ain't what it ain't, but nice to finish with a birdie."
Lilia Vu's Record-Breaking Performance
Ahead of Hull, Lilia Vu stands at a formidable 18 under par after 54 holes, setting a new tournament record. Despite facing some challenges on the course, including two bogeys on the sixth and ninth holes and a double bogey on the 14th, Vu showcased an impressive comeback. She finished her round emphatically with three consecutive birdies, reinforcing her tenacity and skill.
International Contenders in Pursuit
Not far behind the leaders, Denmark's Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Japan's Ayaka Furue share the third spot at 15 under par. Furue's round of 67 has kept her in the hunt, demonstrating that the competition remains fierce. Meanwhile, Thai golfer Atthaya Thitikul is positioned in a competitive group at 14 under, following her round of 70.
Nelly Korda, one of the prominent names in the tournament, faced a challenging day on the course. After carding a one-over-par 73, Korda finds herself seven strokes behind the leader, adding another layer of intrigue to the upcoming final round.
Anticipation Builds for the Final Round
As the tournament approaches its culmination, the tension is palpable. Hull's bid to close the gap on Vu will be a focal point, as both players have demonstrated exceptional prowess throughout the tournament. With the leaderboard tightly packed and capable contenders like Koerstz Madsen, Furue, and Thitikul closely trailing, the final round promises high drama and intense competition.
The stakes are set high, and as the players go into the final stretch, the golfing world will be keenly observing how this battle in the Arizona desert unfolds. Each putt and swing will be critical as the Ford Championship reaches its grand finale.