Salas Leads Heading Into Final Round, Thompson In Contention
August 19, 2018 | By LPGA.com
Lizette Salas takes a two-shot lead heading into the final round of the Indy Women in Tech Championship Driven by Group 1001. Salas leads Republic of Korea’s Amy Yang and Sung Hyun Park after shooting an 8-under, 64, in the third round at Brickyard Crossing Golf Course.
Salas has been playing lights out this week and admits to having no idea of the keys to her success this week.
“Playing with a top world ranked player, Sung Hyun, I knew I had to bring my A-game. And I was in the groove from the get-go. I had a great mentality going in. I have been striking the ball really well. And I just had to stay patient,” said Salas. “And yeah, putts dropped, for sure. And be aggressive throughout the whole day. And I just really felt comfortable. I like the golf course. I like the way I’ve been playing, so I felt really good.”
A top-5 finish a year ago should be a clear indication that Salas likes they layout at the Brickyard Crossing Golf, but what is it that Salas likes?
“I mean, from the greens to how the tee boxes are aiming a certain way on the fairway, I think it favors my draw a little bit. So, from eyesight, I think I like it from the get-go,” explained Salas. “I don't know, just everything from the -- the fans are great, the course is in good condition considering it rained so much yesterday. So, yeah, hopefully, it will be good to me tomorrow.”
It’s been a few years since Salas won on the LPGA Tour, but holding the lead heading to the final round gives her an added boost of confidence, but she’s not taking anything for granted.
“Yeah. That was so long ago. It's been knocking on the door quite a bit in the last four years, and I haven't been able to get it done,” said Salas. “But I have been so confident this whole year. I have a different mentality; I'm a different player. So, I'm just going to go out there and play as if I'm behind. Two shots are practically nothing. So, I've got good players behind me and just got to play my game.”
Thompson In Contention
Lexi Thompson had the round of the day, a bogey-free 8-under, 64 despite a 1-stroke penalty on the 10th hole.
The defending champion said it felt good and she got off to a good start.
“I started off with a birdie, and just overall struck it very well, and kind of figured out my putting,” Thompson explained. “This morning I hit it really close for the nine holes that I played, just didn't make anything. And then it kind of just clicked in my next warm-up. Probably helped that I putted in the sunlight and not in the dark this morning.”
Thompson handled the pressure of playing 27 holes with poise but admits to having a few “tired swings towards the end” of the day.
“But overall, a lot of positives. I hit it great; I made some really good putts.”
Thompson sits five-shots back but in a good position heading into the final round of the Indy Women in Tech Championship Driven by Group 1001.
“I'm really looking forward to tomorrow,” said Thompson. “Hopefully just go into it and hit it the same way I did these last few days, and still, have a few of those -- more putts drop, so we'll see where it goes.”