PHOENIX (AP) – Inbee Park felt as if she was in 2013 on the front nine Saturday at the Founders Cup. Laura Davies brought back memories of her dominant desert run more than 20 years ago.
The Hall of Famers shot matching 9-under 63s in sunny and breezy conditions at Desert Ridge. Park reached 14 under to take a one-stroke lead over Mariajo Uribe into the final round. The 54-year-old Davies was tied for fourth at 11 under in the event honoring the 13 women who founded the LPGA Tour in 1950.
Park played the first five holes in 6 under , holing out from 90 yards for eagle on the par-4 third. She birdied the par-4 ninth for a front-nine 31, made another birdie on the par-5 11th and capped the bogey-free round with an 18-foot birdie putt on the par-4 18th.
“The front nine, everything felt great,’’ Park said. “Still, the back nine, I felt like I was hitting the ball pretty solid, but just the putts didn’t seem to drop like front nine. If it dropped like front nine, it would’ve been 59.’’
In 2013, she won the first three majors and finished with six victories. The 29-year-old South Korean star took a break from the tour in August after the Women’s British Open, only returning two weeks ago for her title defense in Singapore.
“I think I just love the breaks,’’ Park said. “Just really refreshes me. Obviously, I get nervous because I haven’t played tournament golf for a while. … I’m not burned out. I’m happy to play golf again.’’
The 18-time tour winner has seven major titles and won the gold medal at the Rio Olympics.
Davies had her best round on tour since 2005. She’s trying to win for the fifth time in Phoenix after taking the Standard Register PING at Moon Valley four straight years from 1994-97.