Dani Holmqvist holds onto lead in ShopRite LPGA Classic, chasing 1st title

GALLOWAY, N.J. — Dani Holmqvist birdied the par-5 18th for a 4-under 67 and a one-stroke lead over Hyo Joo Kim on Saturday in the ShopRite LPGA Classic.

Holmqvist, the 35-year-old Swede seeking her first LPGA victory, took an 11-under 131 total into the final round Sunday on the Bay Course at Seaview, close to the casinos in Atlantic City. She opened with a career-best 64 on Friday.

Full-field scores from the ShopRite LPGA Classic

“It’s always some nerves and stuff, but it was nerves in a good way, because it’s a position you really want to be in, we work hard to be in,” Holmqvist said. “But it’s just trying to trust my own game and just what I’ve been working on for the last couple weeks, and it’s nice to see that it’s paying off.”

Holmqvist had seven birdies and three bogeys in the second round.

“It’s just some holes are tough and it’s a great course and sometimes you get a good break and sometimes you get bad,” Holmqvist said. “You can’t dwell on it too much. I just tried to stay level and focus on the next shot.”

Kim birdied the last two holes for a 65. The South Korean player had eight birdies and two bogeys. Ranked eighth, she’s a five-time LPGA winner.

Women’s Open champion Ashleigh Buhai of South Africa was third at 8 under after a 65.

“Just trying to go out there and play golf, not play for a score, do what I’ve been doing the last few weeks,” Buhai said. “I know it sounds repetitive, but it’s helping me play good golf — as long as I stay in the moment.”

Brianna Do (64) was 7 under with Atthaya Thitikul (67), Chiara Noja (67), Matilda Castren (67), Yan Liu (70) and Jenny Shin (70).