Get ready for a thrilling finale at The Annika, where Linn Grant is on the cusp of making history—but it’s not going to be easy. With just a one-shot lead over Jennifer Kupcho heading into the final round, Grant is aiming to extend her remarkable streak of winning at least one tournament worldwide every year for six consecutive years. But here’s where it gets intense: the competition is fierce, and the pressure is mounting.
In Belleair, Florida, Grant showcased her precision and confidence on Saturday, firing a 5-under 65 that included five birdies, two of which came from clutch 15-foot putts. Her performance at Pelican Golf Club was nearly flawless, missing just one green and two fairways. The highlight? Her up-and-down from a greenside bunker on the par-5 14th hole, which sealed her final birdie of the day. Sitting at 14-under 196, Grant holds a slim lead over Kupcho, who matched her bogey-free play on a picture-perfect Tampa Bay afternoon.
And this is the part most people miss: Grant’s consistency isn’t just luck. She’s gone 35 holes without a bogey, a testament to her iron game, which she describes as her ‘secret weapon’ this week. ‘I’m really confident with my irons,’ she said. ‘I feel like I can go after pins, and I’m having a lot of fun out there.’ At 26, the Swedish star is chasing her second LPGA win, adding to her impressive resume that includes victories on the Nordic Golf League, Sunshine Ladies Tour, Ladies European Tour, and LET Access Series since 2020.
But time is ticking. With only The Annika and the CME Group Tour Championship left on the LPGA schedule, Grant knows this could be her last chance for a 2023 win. Meanwhile, Kupcho isn’t backing down, despite expressing frustration with the slow pace of play. ‘It’s a little frustrating when you’re a leader and have to wait on every shot,’ she admitted, attributing the delays to the course playing 100 yards shorter than usual.
Here’s where it gets controversial: Is the course setup favoring certain players? Kupcho seems to think so, but tournament organizers defend their decisions, insisting the setup is fair. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
Elsewhere, Nataliya Guseva of Russia made a stunning charge, carding seven birdies in her final 10 holes for a 63, leaving her just two shots behind Grant. Joining her in third place is Evian Championship winner Grace Kim, who shot a 68. Defending champion Nelly Korda, still winless this year after a seven-win 2022, fought back from early bogeys with three birdies in four holes but faltered on the 18th, missing a 4-foot par putt to settle for a 68. She trails by six shots, but can she mount a comeback?
As the final round approaches, one thing is clear: this tournament is far from over. Will Grant secure her sixth consecutive year with a win, or will Kupcho, Guseva, or Korda spoil her plans? What’s your prediction? Share your thoughts below—this is one golf showdown you won’t want to miss!
