Korda and Thompson share lead at Pelican Championship

A two-way tie atop the leaderboard in the Pelican Women’s Championship presented by Konica Minolta and Raymond James has set the stage for an epic final round showdown on Sunday at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.

Rolex Rankings number one and Bradenton, Florida native Nelly Korda recorded eight birdies on Saturday for a seven-under-par 63. Eleven-time LPGA Tour champion Lexi Thompson found her way to six birdies to shoot a third-round 65. The two Americans are tied for the 54-hole lead at sixteen-under overall.
“Stay aggressive, as I have been,” said Korda, who hit 16 greens in regulation. “I’ve been hitting it really well and giving myself some good looks, so I’m going to take the same [gameplan] into tomorrow."

It's the first time since the 2019 CME Group Tour Championship that Thompson, a Delray Beach resident, can look into the gallery and see her mother, Judy. The proximity to home and friendly faces in the crowd provides a sense of peace for Thompson. The results are a signal of the work she has put into her game. Golf Channel analyst Judy Rankin even took notice, mentioning Thompson’s putting is as good as she has ever seen it during Saturday’s live stream on the NBC Sports App.
“Having the family here, to grab dinner with them and see their support on the sidelines, it’s the best,” said Thompson, searching for her first win since the 2019 ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer.
“I’ve been working extremely hard, putting at least two to three hours a day and putting at night in my house.

“It's the Perfect Practice putting mat, has the bigger hole and a small one with lines on it. It's right in my living room. Just stares at me. So, I'm like, I guess I should putt.”
Jennifer Kupcho sits solo third to round out the final grouping off at 11:15 a.m. ET. The third-year pro fired a 66 on moving day and had only one bogey on the scorecard at No. 18, which dropped her one shot back of the lead to fifteen-under overall.