Linn Grant secures solo lead; Kupcho, Guseva on her heels after the third round of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican

By Annie Watson

 

BELLEAIR, Fla. – Linn Grant is no stranger to seeing her name atop the leaderboard heading into a final round. In fact, in her solo career win on the LPGA Tour two years ago, she secured the lead after moving day.

 

However, immediately following her 5-under 65 on Saturday at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, Grant said, “I’m sitting in an uncomfortable but very nice spot.”

 

“Tomorrow I’m just going to go out and try to do the same [as I did today],” said the Swede. “Just go out, have fun and do what I’ve been doing so far. [And] hope that puts me on top of the leaderboard.”

 

Grant has excelled from tee to green, averaging over 300 yards in driving distance on Saturday and only missing four greens through 54 holes of play. Saturday was her first bogey-free round of the tournament, and she finished off the back nine with birdies on No. 15 and 16 before shooting even par through the final four holes.

 

American Jennifer Kupcho, only one stroke behind Grant, also went bogey-free on the day, putting her in contention for her second victory of the season after a three-year-long winless drought dating back to 2022. The Colorado native still sees areas of improvement despite posting solo second heading into Sunday.

 

“I think it kind of took me awhile to get my bearings on the front nine, but started making putts after that,” Kupcho said.

 

Kupcho was also candid about her three-week break from competition and her disadvantage of playing in the Bermuda grass at Pelican.

 

“This course kind of makes everyone uncomfortable, right? It’s a hard course,” she said. “I just think I’m a little more comfortable on other grasses, I know that as well.”

 

“It’s a lot different with three weeks off and then coming into a tournament. You might be rested but you’re in the top of the game. I think that’s kind of went into [my nerves].”

 

Despite any doubts, Kupcho’s confidence in her putter is striking, especially on a course known for slick greens, far different than those she faced in her victory back in June in Atlantic City.

 

“Out here you’re really trying to make the putt instead of having a five-footer coming back, so I think that confidence in my putter definitely helps as well.”

 

One who has taken more of a liking to the Bermuda grass is Nataliya Guseva, currently one shot back of Kupcho following a 7-under 63 on Saturday.

 

“It’s almost like a home advantage, knowing the grain being Bermuda grass,” Guseva said, crediting her alma mater, the University of Miami, to her ability to adapt to Pelican’s terrain.

 

However, there were still some adjustments needed Saturday on the part of Guseva.

 

“At the first eight holes I couldn’t make a birdie, and I was kind of frustrated,” Guseva said. “I was talking to my caddie, Jeff, about how many lip-outs I had for birdies.”

 

“It’s really hard in general with the setup out here, so being patient is the most important thing. I’ve been patient I feel like the whole season, so it’s nice to get some things rolling for you out there.”

 

Guseva is tied for third with Friday’s co-leader Grace Kim at 11-under. Lucy Li, Gaby Lopez and first-round leader Haeran Ryu are tied for sixth at 10-under after the third round.

 

The final round of play at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge begins at 7:00 a.m. on the 1st tee.