Canada's Brooke Henderson fired six birdies on her front nine Saturday at the Évian Championship to tie the record for lowest nine-hole score at a women's major.
Her front-nine 29 was tempered by a back-nine 38 — which included a double bogey on hole No. 12 — giving her a third-round 67 in the tournament she's attempting to defend her title in.
Nonetheless, the round lifted Henderson, 25, to within four shots of leader Céline Boutier of France, who also fired a 67.
The 29-year-old Boutier aims to become the first Frenchwoman to win the tournament, which became a major in 2013.
“I didn’t start that good, to be honest. I missed the first three greens but got a good break on 2 and was able to chip in. Then, I just had really good chances on the two par-5s, 7 and 9, and was able to take advantage of that," said Boutier, who had a bogey on the 12th hole in a round of five birdies.
“I was just trying to focus on making, hitting a good shot, and if I happen to have a birdie opportunity, I hit a solid putt. It was definitely positive and felt pretty good to start very good on the front.”
Boutier’s closest challenger is Japan's Nasa Hataoka, who posted a 68 on Saturday after rounds of 70 and 67.
“Hopefully, I will get more birdies tomorrow. It was good iron shots and distance control," Hataoka said. "Also, I was good too with my putting stroke, so I was really comfortable. Tomorrow is another new day, and I want to enjoy the next 18 holes.”
Minjee Lee of Australia and Henderson are tied for third, a shot behind Hataoka.
Henderson, from Smith Falls, Ont., is seeking her third major and her third successful title defence, to go along with her wins at the 2015 and 2016 Portland Classic, and 2018 and 2019 LOTTE Championship.
Henderson's majors are the 2022 Amundi Evian Championship and 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. A win would be her 14th LPGA Tour victory and her first since the 2023 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
--with files from The Associated Press
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