Nelly Korda holds 54-hole lead in Ohio

Nelly Korda birdied the final two holes for a 5-under 66 and a two-stroke lead Saturday in the Marathon Classic.

The 18-year-old Korda, the sister of LPGA Tour winner Jessica Korda and a Bradenton resident, had a 15-under-par 198 total at Highland Meadows. She opened with a 68 and had a 64 on Friday, the best score in the second round.

“There’s still 18 more holes and a lot of golf left to be played, so I’m just going to stay patient and see how it goes,” Korda said. “Not really going to think about it too much. I’m not going to get ahead of myself. I’ve done that a couple times this year, and I’m just going to take it shot by shot.”

Korda closed with three straight birdies Friday, and also birdied the par-5 18th on Thursday in a round that ended with a birdie on No. 9. She has posted 19 birdies through three rounds.

“When you end on a birdie, you’re just really excited to play the next day and get it doing, so I’m definitely excited,” Korda said.

In-Kyung Kim was second after a 68.

“I’ve been very consistent with my drive and second shot,” Kim said. “It is kind of tricky to hit hybrids into the greens and all of a sudden hitting wedge into the greens. That change was difficult. But other than that, I feel really good about playing this golf course. I’ve always liked this golf course.”

Gerina Piller, the leader after each of the first two rounds, had a 70 to drop into a tie for third at 12 under with U.S. Women’s Open champion Sung Hyun Park (67), Lexi Thompson (69), Sandra Changkija (65), Aditi Ashok (68) and Peiyun Chien (69).

Piller rallied with birdies on Nos. 15 and 17.

“There’s no need to fix something that ain’t broke,” Piller said. “The putts just didn’t fall for me today, but my game feels great. Got it back to under par, which was huge, after being 1 over at the turn. Just looking forward to tomorrow, having some fun, and making some birdies.”

Korda is in her first year on the tour.

“There’s so many good young players out here on tour that I don’t even feel like I’m 18, truthfully,” said Korda, who will be 19 on Friday. “But it’s really cool and I’m definitely excited for tomorrow. …

“I’ve learned a lot my rookie year out here. It’s definitely to stay patient and really to take it shot by shot. I’ve been in a couple positions where I’ve been on top of the leaderboard, and I just really got ahead of myself, started thinking too far ahead.”

She expected some simple long-distance advice from her sister.

“She'll probably just be like, ‘Breathe a lot and go to sleep,’ ” Korda said.

Korda began the day in a four-way tie for second, one shot behind Piller, who shot a 63 in Thursday’s first round. Pille

“She’s good,” Piller said of Korda. “I mean, leading an LPGA tournament in her rookie season, that’s pretty impressive. She’s got a really good game. Her and her sister both have really good swings. The future is looking bright for American golf.”

This story was originally published July 22, 2017 at 8:19 PM with the headline "Nelly Korda holds 54-hole lead in Ohio."