WASHINGTON: A late flurry of birdies left Lydia Ko in pole position at the LPGA Marathon Classic on Saturday as the former world number surged into a four-shot lead heading into the final round.
The 23-year-old New Zealand star rattled off two birdies in her final three holes to card a three-under-par 68 and move to 16-under at Highland Meadows in Sylvania, Ohio.
It was the second straight day that Ko finished strongly. On Friday, Ko had birdied the 17th and 18th holes to move into a one-stroke second round lead with a six-under-par 65.
Ko later revealed that she had been bothered by a sore back during her round.
“It started hurting a little bit,” Ko said. “I think the key for me tomorrow is even if it doesn’t feel 100%, just to go out there and hit it confidently and aggressively.
“Even though the pain is there I feel like when I hit it hard, my body is not flinching over that area. I just have to not worry about it.”
After a day of low scoring in the second round, the field found the going tougher on Saturday with pin positions making for a more challenging set-up.
After two birdies and a bogey in her first six holes, Ko went on a run of nine consecutive pars before she began to pull away down the stretch with her late birdies.
That left her four clear of Danielle Kang, who battled to a one-under-par 70 after a round that included three birdies and two bogeys.
Kang was unhappy with her failure to make the most of several birdie chances that presented themselves during her round.
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates match point against Daniil Medvedev in the men's final during the Indian Wells...
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz reacts after beating Russian Daniil Medvedev for a second straight ATP Indian Wells title. —...
Iga Swiatek of Poland reacts as streamers are blasted off at the trophy ceremony after defeating Maria Sakkari of...
FIFA President Gianni Infantino. — AFP/FileANKARA: Violence in the Turkish Super Lig is “unacceptable”, FIFA...
Professional Pakistani shooter Kishmala Talat. — Provided by reporter/FileKARACHI: Pakistan’s shooters will...
Pakistan football team in action at Jinnah Stadium. — PFF/File ISLAMABAD: The day game, the month of Ramzan and a...