The field made moves during the third round of the Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic, but most of the moves were in the wrong direction. With the greens firming up and the winds gusting up to 25 mph, the field saw a completely different side to the TPC Scottsdale - Champions Course than they did the first two days. The day's low score was a 2-under 69, carded by five players, one of which is Michelle Zhang, who is now one shot behind the leader, Dana Fall.
Fall posted a 1-over 72 on Moving Day at the Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic, a score that usually sees the leader drop from their solo spot. Today was different; however, with Fall having two shots to work with to start the day, there was a little wiggle room for the veteran to work with.
"We kind of knew going into the round, there were some tough pins, and then with the added wind, it made it even tougher," explained Fall. "We kind of just figured pars were going to be our friend today. We just kind of stuck to our game plan and you know, a little disappointed with one over but I saw the l have the lead going into tomorrow. So, I'm happy."
The 31-year-old is chasing her second Epson Tour victory tomorrow in Scottsdale, Ariz., seven years after her maiden win at the 2017 Dream First Bank Charity Classic. An over-par round from Fall is rare, having only posted one other over-par round all season. With winds expected to die down for the final round on Sunday, Fall sits in the driver's seat with 18 holes to play.
"I made some good swings coming down the stretch. It was tough to putt in the wind," said Fall. "The greens kind of got a little crusty and faster than I had anticipated. But, you know, we'll come out tomorrow and see what it's like and just kind of figure it out from there."
Zhang made birdie on No. 1 to start the day, but the excitement for the round did not start until she made her way to the 7th tee box. Holes 7 through 13 were as up-and-down as it gets, with two birdies, three bogeys, and an eagle recorded in the seven-hole stretch. Sitting at two-under for the day with just five holes to play, Zhang made five pars, signing for a 2-under 69 to be in the final group on Sunday.
"Honestly, I think my putting was really clutch today," said Zhang. "Overall, I missed a few birdie opportunities on the last three holes, but it's like, I had a hole out eagle from the bunker, and I was so surprised. But I'm just happy at where I'm at right now."
Thanks to GKLive. TV, fans around the world will be able to follow the tournament closer than usual via live streaming. The broadcast will feature Nos. 16-18 on Sunday from 5 p.m. ET until the tournament's conclusion.
The tournament can be viewed on https://www.gklive.tv/event/2024-epson-tour-carlisle-arizona-womens-golf-classic, with a replay airing on https://www.youtube.com/@ROAD2LPGA the following week.
ABOUT THE LEADER
Dana Fall signed for a 1-over 72 in the third round of the Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic to lead the tournament by one shot at 12-under total
- Fall made two birdies and three bogeys during day three
- The 1-over round is tied for the highest score of the season for Fall
- She shot a 6-under 29 on the back nine in round one
- The 31-year-old has made 110 LPGA Tour starts, and 35 Epson Tour starts in her eight-year career
- Her T11 finish at the 2019 ShopRite LPGA Classic is her best career finish on the LPGA Tour
- She won the 2016 Dream First Bank Charity Classic on the Epson Tour
- Fall also has an additional 12 top-10 finishes on the Epson Tour
- The Arizona native is making her first appearance at the Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic this year
THINGS TO KNOW
Kum-Kang Park carded an even-par 71, moving her to a tie for third
- Kang made in five birdies, two bogeys, and a double-bogey during her third-round
- The Republic of Korea native has eight top-10 finishes, including two wins since joining the Epson Tour in 2020
- Kang won the 2021 Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout and the 2022 Florida's Natural Charity Classic
- Kang is in the penultimate group heading into the final round at the Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic
Gigi Stoll moves into the top 15 after a 2-under 69 on Moving Day
- Stoll made four birdies and two bogeys during her third round
- The University of Arizona alum is searching for her second career Epson Tour victory
- She won the 2023 Casino Del Sol Golf Classic
- Stoll finished 17th in the 2023 Race for the Card standings
- She currently sits in 57th in the 2024 Race for the Card
QUICK QUOTES
Mariel Galdiano (-9, T3) on the support from Carlisle Companies and all the other sponsors:
"It's so great to have Carlisle Companies step up and be such a great host for the tournament and a sponsor. It means a lot on tour. We grind out here week to week. I'm really thankful to them and all the other sponsors and I'm sure that all the other girls are as well."
Gigi Stoll (-5, T11) on the difficulty of the course after the wind started to pick up:
"Almost had one on the last hole. I was trying to get a birdie just to close the round. It was up and down on the back nine but held together pretty well just with the wind. I mean it was challenging out there. The wind picked up quite a bit and you know, it felt good to keep it together and post a pretty good score today."
Ashley Lau (-5, T11) on what it means to be playing for a $400,000 purse at the Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic:
"This is only my second year, but I've heard great things about how far it has come since the previous years. And I think it's great that, you know, women's golf and Epson are elevating being elevated and we're very thankful. I think sometimes a lot of us take it for granted, but deep down we do appreciate it. I'm just heading into tomorrow with the mindset of big gratitude and I think that's helped me play good golf this week."
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