Sizzling Ko joins Pressel in tie for lead in Arkansas

ROGERS, Arkansas: World number one Lydia Ko finished birdie-eagle for a tournament-record tying nine-under-par 62 to charge into a share of the second-round lead with Morgan Pressel at the Arkansas Championship on Saturday.

Former major winner Pressel held the clubhouse lead after a bogey-free 63 for a 14-under total of 128 in the 54-hole event at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers before being caught late in the day by the fast-finishing Ko.

Even though Ko reeled off four consecutive birdies from the par-three 11th, the New Zealand teenager was still three shots off the pace with two holes to play.

But Ko then birdied 17 and sank a 15-foot eagle putt at the par-five last to cap a sizzling back nine of 28 and draw level with Pressel.

The 19-year-old has finished no worse than sixth in her three prior starts at this event, including a tie for second in 2014.”At the end of the day, the winner here is going to be the one holing some putts,” said Ko, a double champion on the LPGA Tour this season who is seeking her 13th career title.