A round of 67 seemingly out of nowhere, and suddenly Alison Lee is in the thick of the fight for her maiden LPGA Tour title – what a performance at the Buick LPGA Shanghai on Saturday! With an incredible 5-under 67, Lee catapulted herself to 5-under 211 total, securing sixth place – a massive 18-spot leap on the leaderboard. There was real fire on the fairways of Sheshan Golf Club.
Six birdies and just a single bogey cemented this stellar round, following her previous scores of 74 and 73. Lee herself described the course as a "beast" regarding its length, tricky greens, and the challenging first two rounds. But on the third day, the American truly hit her stride.
Shanghai Comeback Bid
Although she trails leader Hye-Jin Choi by six strokes – Choi heads into Sunday's final round at 11-under – Lee has carved out a mathematical chance. Just ahead of her lurk Amy Yang, only one shot behind Choi, and Ruoning Yin, who is two strokes back. To claim victory, Lee needs not only another dream round but also some assistance from the frontrunners.
The Finale Beckons
Shanghai is the opening event of the LPGA's four-day late-season Asian Swing, with subsequent stops in South Korea, Malaysia, and Japan. With a $3.2 million prize purse, the pursuit of the title is not only prestigious but also financially enticing. Hye-Jin Choi, also seeking her first LPGA Tour victory, has led the field for three rounds. This promises an absolutely dramatic finale, where Alison Lee, having emerged seemingly out of nowhere, is now fully in contention.
