2026 Lotte Championship: Jeeno Thitikul sets pace, carries 54-hole lead in Hawaii
Jeeno Thitikul is closing in on her fourth win of 2026 after 54 holes in Hawaii. Here's how the world No. 2 gained separation over the Lotte Championship field Saturday.
In Hawaii's Lotte Championship, 54-hole leader Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand separated herself from the pack with a 5-under 67 in the third round, gaining a three-shot advantage over Germany's Polly Mack. The competition also saw American players Hailee Cooper, Yana Wilson, and Lilia Vu make significant strides in the tournament. Cooper, a 26-year-old rookie, birdied three straight holes on both front and back nines, including a clutch 30-foot birdie putt in her second round that helped her make the cut.
She finished with an 8-under 64 and leads the tournament at 11 under. Wilson, an LPGA rookie, repeated her success from the Dow Championship earlier this year with a 6-under 66, tied with Cooper at 11 under. Vu, a two-time major champion and 2025 U.S. Women's Open champion, closed with a 6-under 66, two shots behind the leader, and sits at T-3 with Melgrati and Mack.
All players faced varying degrees of wind throughout the tournament, affecting their strategies and performances.
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