KAPOLEI, Hawaii — Lydia Ko once more put herself in place for her first win in three years, capturing a 7-under 65 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead into the ultimate spherical of the Lotte Championship.
Nelly Korda, who went forwards and backwards with Ko for the lead all through the third spherical, completed with a 63 and was one shot again. Ko pushed forward one final time by rolling within the final of her seven birdies on the par-Four 18th.
“It wasn’t a flying begin in comparison with the opposite two days, however I stayed affected person,” Ko stated. “I had plenty of seems to be however they simply did not drop. When it is that type of day, you simply must be dedicated and do a superb job on the following one and never be too frightened.
“The final three days have been a lot enjoyable. That is my mindset tomorrow and I will see the place it will get me the tip of the day.”
Ko is 21 beneath by means of three rounds at Kapolei Golf Membership, which has supplied little resistance this week even in windy circumstances. She has performed her final 4 rounds in 31 beneath, having fired a 62 final Sunday on the ANA Inspiration for her second runner-up end of the 12 months.
Ko’s earlier runner-up was in February on the Gainbridge LPGA, the place she completed three photographs behind Korda.
The 23-year-old former world No. 1 has 16 LPGA victories and two majors however has slumped since her final win in 2018. Nevertheless, her recreation started to rebound final summer season when the LPGA returned from its pandemic pause. Ko had the 54-hole lead on the Marathon LPGA Traditional in Ohio final July however shot a final-round 73 to complete a shot behind winner Danielle Kang.
Korda has wanted solely 25 putts in all three rounds this week.
“I did go away a pair on the market,” Korda stated of her 63, “so it is type of loopy.”
Yuka Saso, a 19-year-old from the Philippines enjoying on a sponsor’s exemption, adopted her back-to-back 64s with a 71 and was 4 photographs again. She started the day with a two-shot lead over Ko however bogeyed the primary gap whereas Ko made birdie. Saso made three extra bogeys on the entrance 9 earlier than rallying to complete beneath par for the day.
The common rating Friday, with Kapolei much less breezy and some tees moved up, was 68.three. Among the many large movers have been Leona Maguire, who was 5 photographs again after a 65, and Amy Yang, who shot 64 and was one other shot behind.
Lexi Thompson (67) was a part of a bunch at 14 beneath. She hit pitching wedge to five ft for eagle on the par-5 seventh gap.