by staff reporter
At the Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Michigan, Yang shot her third consecutive five-under 67 to finish the first 54 holes on 15 under par.
In search of her first victory on US soil, the 33-year-old Orlando resident produced seven birdies to go along with two back-nine bogeys to seize the lead.
Yang stated, “My ball hitting has been extremely good all day, all week, so I was giving myself good chances out there.
“I made some mistakes with my putting speed. I made a few blunders during the round, but I made an effort to remain calm and keep trying.
Ayaka Furue of Japan, who had a one-stroke lead going into the day, shared second place on 202 with Lin Xiyu of China, who is attempting to win her maiden LPGA championship.
Yang, 33, is a four-time LPGA champion and a three-time winner on the European Tour, with her maiden victory coming in South Korea in 2013 and her subsequent victories in Thailand in 2015, 2017 and 2019.
Prior to her 69th attempt to win a major championship in the Women’s PGA Championship in Baltusrol the following week, she wants to end a four-year winless streak.
Yang declared, “I always try my hardest to win my first major.” “If I play well this week, it will undoubtedly boost my confidence going into a major,” I said. Simply put, I’ll keep trying.
Yang finished fourth in the Chevron Championship in April, although her best major finishes were runner-up finishes in the US Women’s Open in 2012 and 2015.
Yang scored a pair of birds on the par-5 fourth, eighth, and
Lin opened and closed with birdies in a round without bogeys, while Buhai followed her lone bogey at 17 with a closing eagle to share second.
“Tried to keep everything simple and aggressive, and I’m glad it pays off,” Lin added.
