From Epson Tour media relations

WORLEY — After 36 holes, four remain at the top of the Epson Tour’s Circling Raven Championship leaderboard on Saturday at Circling Raven Golf Club.

However, the four names up top changed. Jessica Welch, Robyn Choi, Jillian Hollis, and Hyo Joon Jang will make up the final groups for today’s final round.

Welch, who has only made three cuts in 12 starts this season, celebrated the low round of the day with a big fist pump after a birdie on No. 18. Her 7-under 65 consisted of two eagles and five birdies.

“This is where you want to be,” Welch said. “You want to be in the hunt. This season has been a bit of a struggle for me, I had to go back to first stage last week, but I played four days of good golf and got myself into a good mindset, so that’s what I want to take with me into tomorrow. Regardless of the outcome, I want to walk off content with myself.”

Choi made the turn bogey-free and carded seven birdies on the day. She closed out her round with three consecutive birdies followed by two pars.

“It feels good,” Choi said. “With these conditions, I didn’t expect to shoot very low. Being able to shoot that score, I’m proud of myself. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day, I’ll play better golf and hopefully bring in a trophy.”

Hollis, who played in the morning when the wind was most consistent, shot 6-under and carded seven birdies. Like Choi, she went bogey-free on the front nine. While most players weren’t expecting the constant, aggressive wind and don’t enjoy playing in it, Hollis saw it as a positive addition to her game.

“I love playing in the wind, honestly,” Hollis said. “It’s good for my game. I have a pretty creative game, so it’s fun hitting draws and fades into or against the wind. It keeps me focused almost.”

Rounding out the leaders was Jang, who snuck into the top spot on her back nine. She was 4-under through the last five holes and carded one additional birdie and a lone eagle on the front. She credits the wind for some push to make eagle, and like Hollis, was trying to use it to her advantage.

“I was trying to be more friendly with the wind,” Jang said. “Accept it and go through it. That helped me.”

Grace Kim and Gabriela Ruffels rounded out the top five at 9-under. They sit one stroke behind the leaders after signing for 4-under and 3-under, respectively.

A total of 67 players made the cut at 1-under, including first round leaders Ana Paula Valdes, Alisa Rodriguez, Pavarisa Yoktuan and Polly Mack.

Welch and Choi will tee off in the final group at 1 p.m.

Hollis and Jang are in the second-to-last group, starting at 12:50 p.m.

Sophie Hausmann, who played at the University of Idaho, is tied for 35th at 69-72—141, 3 under par. She tees off at 10 a.m.

Gabby Lemieux of Caldwell made the cut on the number and is tied for 56th at 72-71—143, 1 under par. She tees off at 8:20 a.m.

LEADERBOARD

Jessica Welch 69-65—134 -10

Robyn Choi 68-66—134 -10

Jillian Hollis 68-66—134 -10

Hyo Joon Jang 67-67—134 -10

Grace Kim 67-68—135 -9

Gabriela Ruffels 66-69—135 -9

Valentina Haupt 68-68—136 -8

Polly Mack 65-71—136 -8

Amelia Garvey 70-67—137 -7

Fernanda Lira 69-68—137 -7

Milagros Chaves 67-70—137 -7

Alexa Pano 67-70—137 -7

Full leaderboard: https://www.epsontour.com/tournaments/circling-raven-championship/leaderboard