Anna Huang’s decision to turn professional prior to this season might pay off in a big way on Sunday.
The 16-year-old Vancouver native has a three-shot lead at the Ladies European Tour’s La Sella Open after shooting a 3-under 69 on Saturday in Spain.
Huang, the youngest member of the tour, is 17-under through three rounds, three strokes ahead of Nastasia Nadaud of France. Lauren Walsh of Ireland is third, well back at 10-under.
“Today my ball striking was still pretty good and hopefully, I can bring that momentum into tomorrow,” Huang said, per the tour. “Not many of my putts dropped today, that was a bit frustrating, but hopefully I can fix that.
“It’s kind of crazy to have only one bogey (in the tournament). It felt so much different out there, I was really in the zone, so I didn’t even notice I didn’t have any bogeys until I made that one on 15.”
Huang is 50th on the Ladies European Tour order of merit this season. She’s coming off a tie for seventh at the Swiss Ladies Open and has made about Cdn. $56,000 this year in 14 events.
The Canadian is trying to become the first player under 17 to win on tour since 2022.
“I’m going to try and keep it steady, keep it patient and focus on each shot,” she said. “I think I’m more excited than nervous for tomorrow, before I was a bit more nervous to go into the final round. I’ve learned pressure is a privilege and you have got to use it to your advantage.”
Huang also qualified for two LPGA Tour majors this season — the U.S. Women’s Open and AIG Women’s Open — and received an exemption into the CPKC Women’s Open in Mississauga, Ont.
