Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen is setting Highland Meadows Golf Club ablaze with her performance at the Dana Open.
Following a career-low 36-hole score of 131, Wannasaen notched another milestone with a third-round 66, culminating in a 54-hole score of 197.
This feat has placed her in a commanding position, holding a three-shot lead as she heads into Championship Sunday.
Starting the day with a slim one-shot lead over defending champion Linn Grant and Xiyu Lin, Wannasaen quickly extended her advantage with a birdie on the par-3 2nd hole for the second consecutive day.
She maintained a steady game through the front nine, recording pars and a birdie on the par-4 9th hole.
Her game truly heated up on the back nine, where she birdied holes 12, 13, and 14 in quick succession.
Despite a bogey on the par-4 16th, she finished strong with a birdie on the 18th.
Wannasaen’s current form is reminiscent of her triumph at the 2023 Portland Classic, where she secured her first Rolex win.
Reflecting on her performance, Wannasaen said, “Yeah, because last year I play in this tournament, too, but I didn’t did good.
But this year is quite like play really good. So I didn’t expect like I’m going to play like this for this week because I’m fly from France and I think my body is a little bit tired. Yeah, I didn’t expect, but I really play well this week.”
Meanwhile, Haeran Ryu is standing tall in second place at 13-under. Ryu’s round featured one bogey and seven birdies, with a strong finish on the 17th and 18th holes.
Her consistent play has put her in striking distance of the lead, especially given her 18 total birdies, the most in the field.
Ryu commented, “Today I think almost same as every day today because I just keep green and I want to just try to one putt on the putting green.
But today I can make some lot of long putts and made some a lot of birdies on the tricky hole That’s good today too, I think.”
Defending champion Linn Grant is among three players tied for third at 11-under. Despite posting her worst round of the tournament with a 70, Grant remains a formidable contender.
Joining her in third are Xiyu Lin and Ssu-Chia Cheng, both displaying consistent play throughout the tournament.
Several other players are also making notable moves. Mary Liu, a rookie, along with sophomores Lucy Li and Hyo Joon Jang, are tied for sixth at 10-under.
Ohio’s own Stacy Lewis, along with Sarah Kemp and Hye-Jin Choi, rounds out the top positions at 9-under.
As Championship Sunday approaches, all eyes will be on Wannasaen to see if she can maintain her lead and secure another victory.
Her performance thus far has been nothing short of spectacular, and she stands poised to add another chapter to her burgeoning career.
