For the second week in a row, a Canadian is in the hunt on the LPGA Tour.
After three rounds at the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open, Maude-Aimee Leblanc is one shot off the lead. The Sherbrooke, Que. native shot a six-under 66 at Dundonald Links and trails Lydia Ko and Celine Boutier.
“I’ve been hitting the ball solid since the beginning of the week,” LeBlanc said. “I love playing in Scotland. I don’t know what it’s about, but it is [a] Different golf course, different conditions, and I love everything here.”
For the third consecutive round, Leblanc marked himself on the greens, with just 28 putts. He has been under 30 putts through all three rounds so far and said his ability on the putting surfaces is the result of a team effort.
“My caddy and I are doing a good job reading the greens,” he said. “Well together. I have a good feel for the speed on the greens, so I think that’s a good recipe for putting.”
Leblanc is getting a lot of birdie opportunities by virtue of hitting a lot of greens. For the week, it has landed at 45 of 54.
He also made 17 birdies this week, nine of which will come in his round on Saturday.
A week ago, Brooke Henderson won the Amundi Evian Championship for her second major title and 12th LPGA title. She was scheduled to play this week but withdrew after winning, hoping to rest for next week’s Women’s British Open, the last major of the season.
Leblanc is yet to win on the LPGA Tour and has just three career top 10s. But two of them have come this season.
Two years ago, Leblanc, who was part of Purdue University’s 2011 NCAA-winning team, announced his retirement from tour golf, but returned to play last year at Epson Tour, bringing a renewed perspective and more confidence. She played well enough to earn a promotion to the LPGA Tour and is currently ranked 62nd in the CME Globe rankings.
“I always felt like I had more to achieve,” she said of her return to the LPGA Tour. “That rest was really necessary. People underestimate how tough it is mentally and physically out here. It’s important to take care of your mental and physical health.”
On Sunday, he faces the final round with a great chance to get his first win. She knows it will be as much a mental as a physical battle. Two months ago, he began working with a sports psychologist trying to turn what he felt was a good game into good results. This will be tested in the final round.
“The adrenaline tends to go up when I’m in situations like this,” he acknowledged, “so tomorrow will be important to try to stay calm and focus on my breathing and try to slow everything down.”
LeBlanc will play in the final group along with Boutier and Ko.