Thailand’s Moriya, S Korea’s Ko share LPGA Open lead

LOS ANGELES: Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn birdied the 18th hole Saturday to match South Korea’s Ko Jin Young for a share of the lead after the third round of the LPGA’s LA Open.

Moriya, the 2013 LPGA Rookie of the Year seeking her first tour title, fired a one-under par 70 while Ko shot 66 at Wilshire Country Club to finish level on nine-under 204 after 54 holes. Seven-time major champion Park In-bee was third on 206 with South Korean compatriot Ji Eun-hee and American Marina Alex sharing fourth on 207. Moriya opened with a double bogey and took another bogey at the par-4 sixth before turning her round around with a birdie at the par-4 eighth.

The 23-year-old sister of Thai star Ariya Jutanugarn eagled the par-4 14th and closed with a birdie at the par-3 18th to match Ko atop the leaderboard.Ko, 22, won 10 times on the Korean women’s tour, the last of those titles coming last October at Incheon in an LPGA co-sanctioned event. She added her second LPGA victory in February at the Australian Women’s Open.