Jang, Kerr share LPGA lead as Ko-Park duel tightens

NAPLES, United States: Rookie Jang Ha-Na and veteran Cristie Kerr shared the lead after Saturday’s third round of the LPGA Tour Championship, while Lydia Ko and Park In-Bee took their fight for world number one into the final round of the season.
South Korean Jang shot a three-under par 69 while American Kerr fired 66 to stand level at 13-under 203, two strokes ahead of New Zealand teen Ko and American Gerina Piller.
Top-rated Ko fired a 69 while South Korea’s Park shot 67 to stand on 207 with Japan’s Ai Miyazato in a share of eighth, one stroke behind France’s Karine Icher and Americans Brittany Lincicome and Lexi Thompson.
If Park can win the title, she would overtake Ko for the world number one ranking and capture the season points title.
The two are also very close for the Player of the Year award, Vare Trophy for season low scoring average and the season money crown, those prizes as well coming down to Sunday’s last round.
“I should be proud that I’m in this position. Anything can happen. If I play well, it might end up being a good day where I’m holding a couple trophies,” Ko said.
“At the same time, because everything is on the line, there is more added pressure. It’s more kind of those first couple holes where you do get nervous anyway, but to know at the end of the 18th hole, there could be a lot of things on the line, a little bit more added pressure. But that’s why I’m not going to not think about all that.”
“It would be awesome,” Ko said. “When you defend something or do something back to back, it’s always cool to do that.”