Sarah Schmelzer and Switzerland’s Albane Valenzuela teamed up to birdie three of four holes mid-round and grabbed a one-stroke lead at 13-under par at the Dow Championship at Midland (Mich.) Country Club.
Saturday’s third round was played in foursomes (alternate shot), and the play in the final round will replicate Friday’s best ball competition. The tournament is the lone team event on the LPGA Tour.
A pair of duos were knotted at 12-under, one stroke off the lead. The Korean duo of Jin Hee Im and Somi Lee shot a 2-under par 68, while Belgium’s Manon De Roey and France’s Pauline Roussin-Bouchard posted a 69.
Three teams, including overnight leaders Jennifer Kupcho and Leona Maguire stood at 11-under par after 54 holes.
Schmelzer and Valenzuela started Saturday play one shot behind the leaders, but birdied the first hole to get to 12-under. They lost a stroke on the fifth hole, but birdied Nos. 6, 7 and 9 to record a 32 on the first nine. The duo had an unfortunate bogey on the par-5 11th, but parred the final seven holes to card a 2-under par 68 and finish at 13 under.
“I mean, just kind of know it’s not going to be perfect,” said Schmelzer regarding today’s format. “Albane did a really good job if I didn’t do something great of really keeping me in it. It’s all about consistency and not getting your partner in trouble.”
Im and Lee played bogey-free golf and recorded birdies on Nos. 1 and 9.
“These days my driver is pretty good, but sometimes my iron and then putter is so-so,” said Lee.
De Roey and Roussin-Bouchard were even for the day until posting a birdie on the par-4 17th.
“For me, this is my favorite event. I love this tournament,” said Roussin-Bouchard. “That’s what I was telling Manon earlier, it feels like a bubble because there’s not many things around it.
“The people are just amazing. The vibe from the crowd is just insane. (Hole) 18 with some kind of island green around, it’s just so cool that we can show off for everyone and create a fiery atmosphere.”
Maguire and Kupcho, who finished second alongside Ally Ewing in 2024, fell into a tie for fourth place, but the Irish player was optimistic after the duo finished birdie-birdie.
“I think it gives us a chance going into tomorrow,” said Maguire. “Just really got nothing going today, but tried to stay patient, tried to keep giving ourself chances; eventually did on the last holes. Jen holed two great putts.”
Valenzuela, a three-time Olympian but a non-winner on the LPGA tour, contemplated the switch back to best-ball play on Sunday.
“I just let Sarah drive first because she hits it so straight and then I just have to copy that. We’re really having a great time out there. Four-ball is fun. You can be a little bit more aggressive sometimes. I think we have a really good game plan, a lot of fun with the caddie, so just do the same tomorrow.”
–Field Level Media
