Entering the week at the Volunteers of America Classic, LPGA Tour rookie Esther Henseleit was riding a wave of momentum. With 18 holes remaining in The Colony, Texas, she shows no signs of slowing down.
In the eighth major championship appearance of her career, Henseleit secured a career-best result of a tie for 15th last week in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club. The German is now 13-under par overall at Old American Golf Club following a 7-under 64 on moving day.
“It was such a good golf course [last week] and I just feel like every time you play golf courses like that, you improve your game so much because you need to think about your shots, you need to hit different shots,” said Henseleit, who hit 14 greens in regulation. “I feel like I am really controlling my ball flight. I am confident out there.”
Henseleit captured six birdies and an eagle on the par-4 15th for the low score of the third round, which was matched by Mirim Lee. The major performance has the German in Sunday’s final grouping and just one shot back of the lead.
“They moved up the tee today [on 15], so it was like 240 meters to the pin,” Henseleit said. “I hit driver, hit the green and like a 6-meter putt for eagle. It was a little slider downhill from right to left and holed that one.
“I’m happy to be in this position, and I just really want to enjoy and learn from the experience. I think I can play really well under pressure. I really like the feeling.”