ROCHESTER, New York, July 22, 2017 - Nanna Koerstz Madsen (Copenhagen, Denmark) moved 18 holes away from a third Epson Tour win, which gets her a “Battlefield Promotion” to the LPGA, on Saturday at Brook-Lea Country Club. A victory could also improve her chances of receiving a captain’s pick (from Annika Sorenstam) to play for Team Europe in the Solheim Cup. Koerstz Madsen also has a chance to break the Epson Tour all-time 72-hole scoring record, which is held by Jennifer Song, who posted a 19-under at the Tate & Lyle Players Championship in 2010. Koerstz Madsen has made 19 birdies and just three bogeys through 54 holes with rounds of 66-67-67.

Koerstz Madsen already has wins at the Epson Classic and the Fuccillo Kia Classic of NY.

The 2016 Olympian carded a 5-under, 67 to jump to 16-under, 200. She is five shots clear of Erynne Lee (Silverdale, Washington), who was the co-leader entering the day and turned in an even-par 72. Sophia Popov (Heidelberg, Germany), Margarita Ramos (Mexico City, Mexico), Lindsey Weaver (Bellefontaine, Ohio) and Mind Muangkhumsakul (Khonkaen, Thailand) share third place at 9-under, 207

“I didn’t come out with a great start, it was just one par, one birdie, one bogey,” said Koerstz Madsen, who was even after six holes. “I just told myself to stay patient and that one or two more birdies would be great and I made a few at the end.”

She ended with birdies on holes 14, 16 and 17.

Koerstz Madsen, 22, drained a 15-footer for birdie on 16 and then made a miraculous birdie on the 17th hole. She hit one of her few errant drives of the day and was well into the left rough and almost right behind a big tree. She used a 5-iron to hit a low stinger that rolled up the steep hill in front of the green to about pin high. Then, she drained the 30-footer.

“I was in the woods and went for the green, but had to chip the ball low and it was a really good shot,” said Koerstz Madsen, who almost hit the tree with the stinger. “It was a really good birdie.”

The gallery following the final group were amazed that she even got the ball on the green. When she completed the birdie, many were shocked.

Even with a five shot cushion, Koerstz Madsen plans to play aggressive as she always does on Sunday.

“I said yesterday that I wanted two more rounds of 4-under so I’m going to stay focused on that and try to shoot a minus-3 or minus-4 on Sunday,” said Koerstz Madsen. “If I go out and play defensive, it is going to go wrong. I have to play my game and continue to be aggressive as I normally do.”

Following her media interviews, tournament chair Mike Vadala came by to say hello and remind Koerstz Madsen that several months ago she actually applied for a sponsor exemption to get into the Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic. Surprisingly, Koerstz Madsen failed to advance past Stage II of LPGA Qualifying Tournament in 2016 so she had low Epson Tour status at the start of the season.

“I’m really happy that I stayed focus on the Epson Tour because at the beginning of the year, it was really hard to get into tournaments,” explained Koerstz Madsen, who played one semester of college golf at South Carolina. “I stayed focused on the Epson Tour and I am just really glad that I made that choice.”

With a third win, Koerstz Madsen would earn a “Battlefield Promotion” to the LPGA for this season and immediately earn category 13 status on the LPGA priority list. She is already in the Scottish Open next week on the LPGA and is going to try and qualify for the Ricoh Women’s British Open the following week. The first LPGA tournament that she could get into if she earns the promotion would be the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open from from August 24-27 in Ottawa.

The $22,500 winner’s payout would also move her back into the top spot on the Volvik Race for the Card money list.

“Three wins in one season would be really good,” said Koerstz Madsen. “It would definitely give me confidence for next year on the LPGA.”

Nanna Koerstz Madsen Builds Five-Shot Lead in Rd. 3 at Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic

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