Lee Dong-eun, the 21-year-old "long drive queen" of this season's Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, is on the verge of securing a spot on her "dream stage."
Lee shot 2-under-par 69 with five birdies and three bogeys in the third round of the LPGA Tour Qualifying (Q) Series Final Stage at Magnolia Grove Falls Course (par 71) in Mobile, Alabama, on Thursday (Korea time).
Through the first seven holes of the fourth round, Lee added one birdie and two bogeys, moving to 9-under-par overall and into sole possession of fourth place.
If she maintains her position through the remaining holes of the fourth round on Friday, Lee will secure an LPGA Tour card for the 2026 season, awarded to the top 25 finishers.
Jang Hyo-jun and Joo Su-bin are also in strong positions at 7-under-par, tied for eighth place, boosting their chances of earning tour cards. Yoon Min-ah sits at 2-under-par in a tie for 31st.
Bang Shin-sil, another popular KLPGA Tour star challenging for the LPGA Tour alongside Lee, also showed resilience. After dropping to a tie for 97th through two rounds, Bang climbed to 76th with a 2-under round in the third round. She then fired five birdies without a bogey in the fourth round to jump to a tie for 39th at 1-under-par. With the cutoff group tied for 23rd at 4-under-par, she will need a miraculous finish over the remaining holes.
The LPGA Q-Series Final was reduced from 90 holes to 72 holes due to course conditions affected by inclement weather. Play on Thursday was suspended after the third round due to sunset.
