Imirim 2-Stroke Behind in 3rd "One Day Left~"... Corda and Henderson Tied for Lead

2020 Season Second Major ANA Inspiration Day 3: Thompson Tied 3rd at 1 Under Par, Park Sung-hyun Tied 36th Falters

Imirim is making an iron shot on the 4th hole of the third day of the ANA Inspiration. Rancho Mirage, California, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] Imi Rim (30, NH Investment & Securities) continues her march toward a major championship victory.

On the 13th (Korean time), at the Mission Hills Golf Club in Rancho Mirage, California, USA (par 72, 6,799 yards), the third day of the second major of the 2020 LPGA Tour season, the ANA Inspiration (total prize money $3.1 million), Imi Rim shot 1-under par to sit tied for 3rd place, two strokes behind (10-under 206). Nelly Korda (USA) still held the top spot on the leaderboard (12-under 204), while Brooke Henderson (Canada) surged with a 7-under round to join the co-lead.

Imi Rim recorded four birdies and three bogeys. She started strong with birdies on holes 3 and 6, and recovered from a bogey on the 9th hole (par 5) with a birdie on the 11th hole (par 5). However, consecutive bogeys on holes 15 and 16 caused some difficulties. Fortunately, a birdie on the 17th hole (par 3) helped change the momentum. She deployed her 'needle-like iron shots' with a maximum drive of 276 yards and a green hit rate of 83.33%, but her putting stalled at 32 putts. She resolved, "I will do my best until the end."

This is a golden opportunity for her to claim her fourth career win and first major victory in three years since the 2017 Kia Classic. Henderson's momentum is formidable, adding an eagle on the 2nd hole (par 5) and six birdies (one bogey). Lexi Thompson (USA) is also eyeing a chance from a tie for 3rd place. Stacy Lewis (USA), the Scottish Women's Open champion, is tied for 7th (8-under 208), and Korea's Im Hyang (27, Volvik) is positioned tied for 11th (7-under 209).

Kim Sei-young (27, Mirae Asset) is tied for 14th (6-under 210). It was unfortunate that she received a two-stroke penalty for not declaring a provisional ball on the 13th hole (par 4). After her tee shot flew into an out-of-bounds (OB) area, she played a provisional ball but recorded a double bogey on the original ball, and with the two-stroke penalty added, she suffered a quadruple bogey. Jeon In-ji (26, KB Financial Group) lost three strokes and dropped to tied for 28th (3-under 213), and Park Sung-hyun (27) finished tied for 36th (2-under 214).