Morgan Pressel in the hunt at The Evian, seeking first win since 2008
Morgan Pressel hasn’t won on the LPGA Tour since 2008, when she won in Hawaii.
She’s been close, including losing in a playoff this season to Lydia Ko at the Swinging Skirst LPGA Classic in April. She’s enjoyed strong major finishes this season, including a third-place effort at the ANA Inspiration (formerly the Kraft Nabsico Championship), as well T-5s at both the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship (formerly the LPGA Championship) and the U.S. Women’s Open.
Pressel is again in position to win a second major and first since 2007, shooting 6-under 65 to trail Mi Hyang Lee by a shot on 8-under 134 heading into the third round of The Evian Championship in France, the LPGA’s fifth major.
Starting on the 10th hole, Pressel got off to a poor start with a bogey. She recovered well after a par at the 11th, making four birdies in a five-hole stretch, sandwiching her only other bogey of the day at the 14th. Four more birdies into the house, including one on the ninth to finish the round, has her in the final pairing on Saturday.
Pressel has made 170 LPGA starts since her last win, but she credits a reformed on-course attitude for her presence near the top of major leaderboards this year.
“I’ve tried to stay very positive, and when bad breaks happen just take them,” she said. “I mean, there are birdies to be made out there, so if you can get over some of the rough bounces you get out here and move forward, then do okay.”
Nicole Broch Larsen, who won last week on the Ladies European Tour, is in third at 7-under 135. World No. 1 Inbee Park trails by eight heading into the weekend, while Lydia Ko, seeking her first major title, is five aback of the pace.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
