(Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)
Emma Talley isn’t just trying to climb the leaderboard at the LPGA’s Marathon Classic, she’s trying to earn a full exemption into the 2019 AIG Women’s British Open as well.
Talley moved into a tie for 16th after three rounds in Sylvania, Ohio, after carding a 2-under-par 69 on Saturday. She hit 13 of 14 fairways in the third round and needed just 26 putts.
Talley is now 6-under for the tournament — one of eight players tied for that spot.
She made the turn on Saturday at 4-under for the event after a birdie on No. 9. A double bogey on the 10th hole threatened to derail her round; however, Talley bounced back by birdying four of her final six holes, including a closing birdie on the par-5 18th hole.
Sei Young Kim leads the Marathon Classic presented by Dana at 16-under. Lexi Thompson is just one shot back while Jeongeun Lee6 is third at 12-under.
The Marathon Classic is the final opportunity for LPGA players to earn a spot in the 2019 AIG Women’s British Open. After 72 holes, the top five LPGA members that are not already exempt into the field will earn a position into the season’s fifth major.
Players will be competing on the Marquess’ Course at Woburn Golf Club in Buckinghamshire, England this year, competing for a share of the $4.5 million purse, a $1.25 million purse increase announced by the R&A earlier this week.
Through 54 holes at the Highland Meadows Golf Club, Talley is just outside the top five players that would punch their tickets to the major championship — Jennifer Kupcho, Pavarisa Yoktuan, Dana Finkelstein, Youngin Chun and Tiffany Joh.
Talley will tee off in the final round of the Marathon Classic at 10:50 a.m. Central time Sunday morning.
