Nelly Korda entered the final round of the 2026 Chevron Championship with a five-shot lead over Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit after carding four birdies and two bogeys in the third round at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston.
Korda’s advantage came despite a third-round score of 72, which saw her drop from a six-stroke lead after two rounds where she was 14-under par following consecutive 65s. Tavatanakit, the 2021 champion, remained in contention at 11-under after a bogey-free 69 on Friday and had gone 48 holes without a bogey earlier in the week.
Among Swedish players, Maja Stark fell to tied for 29th after losing 22 places in the third round following a birdie, two bogeys and a double bogey. Ingrid Lindblad gained 18 spots with five birdies and three bogeys to reach tied for 44th, while Linnea Ström was tied for 54th.
Linn Grant missed the cut after a third-round 79, joining Madelene Sagström, Frida Kinhult and Anna Nordqvist in elimination. Linnea Ström, who was tied for eighth with Stark after round one, fell to tied for 30th after two birdies and four bogeys in round two left her at one-under par.
Stark performed better than her compatriots, sitting at five-under par and tied for seventh after two rounds, having held her position despite challenging conditions.
For more on this story, see Nelly Korda Opens Chevron Championship With Bogey-Free 65, Leads by Two Shots.
Attendance at Memorial Park remained critically low throughout the weekend, with grandstands described as empty even during peak viewing hours. Spectator numbers failed to meet expectations despite the course’s proximity to Houston’s city center.
The Chevron Championship’s relocation from Mission Hills Country Club in 2023 brought logistical gains but sacrificed a beloved tradition: winners no longer dive into Poppie’s Pond, the crystal-clear water feature where champions like Pernilla Lindberg and Lydia Ko once celebrated.
A temporary shallow pool near the 18th green was installed as a substitute, but critics dismissed it as inadequate for anything more than a belly flop, calling the effort embarrassing and insufficient to restore the tournament’s lost charm.
LPGA Tour commissioner Craig Kessler defended the Houston move as commercially necessary to retain Chevron’s sponsorship, though he acknowledged the change has not yet delivered the anticipated boost in public interest or engagement.
What was Nelly Korda’s score after the third round?
Nelly Korda shot 72 in the third round, bringing her total to 13-under par for the tournament.
Why did Swedish players other than Maja Stark struggle in the third round?
Ingrid Lindblad improved her position with five birdies and three bogeys, while Linnea Ström and Linn Grant struggled with bogeys and high scores, leading to missed cuts or lower rankings.