Jeeno Thitikul shot 70 to reach 10-under and take a two-shot Mizuho Americas Open lead over Celine Boutier into Sunday.
Jeeno Thitikul is one round away from her first LPGA Tour win of the season after protecting the lead Saturday at the Mizuho Americas Open.
The Thai star shot a 2-under 70 at Mountain Ridge Country Club, moving to 10-under 216 and taking a two-shot advantage over Celine Boutier into the final round.
It wasn’t a stress-free day. Thitikul began the third round three shots clear, but that margin disappeared quickly after an early bogey and a charge from Hannah Green.
Instead of letting the tournament get away, Thitikul steadied herself and played her final 16 holes without a bogey.
That mattered on a course that softened after rain but still punished misses around sloping greens. Thitikul’s short game helped her hang on late, especially at the par-5 17th, where she got up and down for birdie to restore a two-shot cushion.
She then saved par at 18 after a tricky approach from the rough.
Boutier made the strongest push with a 5-under 67. The Frenchwoman played clean golf after an opening-hole bogey and used three birdies in a four-hole stretch on the back nine to get within one briefly.
Hye-Jin Choi also moved into the mix with a 66, leaving her three shots behind. Green, Ruoning Yin and Allisen Corpuz sit tied at 6-under 210, four back.
Yin had a chance to apply real pressure, but a triple bogey on No. 15 stalled her run. Green also faded late, dropping shots on the back nine, including a bogey at 18.
Thitikul lost the world No. 1 ranking recently after missing the cut at The Chevron Championship, but she’s got a chance to answer quickly.
Sunday now becomes a test of patience, precision and whether she can finish off a wire-to-wire-style weekend under pressure.
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