Nelly Korda holds a three-stroke lead at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions as she bids for a first title in more than a year, while England half-time leader Lottie Woad had her hopes of victory dashed a day after she suffered a bogey in blustery Florida.

World No. 2 Korda has not won a trophy since Annika in November 2024, when she led a field that included Charlie Hull by three strokes to claim her seventh victory in a stellar calendar year that included the second Grand Slam title of her career.

The American shot an 8-under 64 on a chilly Saturday at the LPGA Tour event at Lake Nona, jogging to 13-under with seven birdies and an eagle before 17, then told reporters the onerous conditions had left her in “survival mode.”

Korda trailed co-leader Ward and 2024 Olympic gold medalist Lydia Ko by three strokes after 36 holes, but easily passed the pair while they were still on the course and play was suspended due to high winds.

Ward shot 3 over in the round with five bogeys in 16 holes, including four in five holes on the front nine, and the 22-year-old is now eight shots behind.

Gao suffered a bogey and a double bogey on the back nine and finished the tournament at 8-under 15, which was even par, five strokes lower than Korda.

Woad falls after consecutive bogeys

Ward won the Irish Open last July and followed it up with success at the Scottish Open a few weeks later to add to her two Ladies European Tour titles. After an opening birdie to move her to nine under, she suffered blemishes at three, four, five and seven.

She jogged her way to a par 6, then bogeyed No. 14, then birdied No. 15 and then birdied No. 16 before play was suspended.

Korda made a birdie-eagle at the beginning, then parred four times in a row, scored eight and nine in two consecutive shots, and finally exited with a score of 30 at six under par.

The 27-year-old continued his strong performance after the spin, finishing with birdies at 12, 14 and 15 to finish at par and finish three shots ahead of South Korea’s Amy Yang, who was 10 under with two holes left in the third round.

“I think the most important thing is to perform really well,” Korda said as he looked ahead to the final day.

“For me, I win in a lot of different ways. Unfortunately, I always make it very interesting,

“It makes me mentally stronger – I don’t mind chasing and I don’t mind being on top. I love competing.”

Watch the final round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Championship Tournament live Sky Sports Portfolio Starting at 6pm on Sunday. Get Sky Sports or Stream now with no contract – cancel anytime.

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