World No. 1 Nelly Korda is making the LPGA Riviera Maya Open look like a walk in the park. After a flawless third round of 67 on Saturday, she now holds a commanding three-shot lead heading into the final day in Mexico.
Fresh off her victory at the Chevron Championship last week, Korda shows zero signs of slowing down. The 27-year-old American has gone an incredible 43 holes since her only bogey of the tournament—a first-round slip on the opening day at El Camaleon Golf Course.
"I'd be lying if I said my energy levels were 100 percent," Korda admitted after her round. "But I came here to work, not vacation. Mentally staying in it has been the most important part this week."
Her serene Saturday was capped by a tap-in eagle on the 18th hole, sealing her place at 14-under 202. Thailand's Arpichaya Yubol sits in second at 11-under after a bogey-free 66—the best round of the day—while Japan's Minami Katsu lurks another stroke back at 10-under.
Katsu made things interesting with a rare eagle on the 17th, bouncing back from a shaky front nine that saw her go two-over. Three birdies in four holes on the back nine brought her right back into contention.
Korda started the day tied with fellow American Brianna Do at 9-under, but quickly seized control. She cruised through the front nine with eight pars and a birdie on the par-5 fifth, then saved par with a curling long putt on the ninth to maintain her lead.
The three-time major winner turned up the heat on the back stretch. A long eagle attempt on the par-5 13th just missed, settling for birdie, before sticking a dart on the par-3 14th for another tap-in. Her perfect drive and aggressive iron on the par-5 18th set up the closing eagle.
Her only "mistake" of the day? A lighthearted moment when she twice fumbled picking her ball from the cup on the final green, laughing it off with the crowd. With a three-shot cushion and that kind of composure, Korda looks poised to add another trophy to her already stellar season.
