Melbourne, Australia (SportsNetwork.com) – Lydia Ko and rookie Ariya
Jutanugarn carded matching 1-under 72s in Saturday’s third round, keeping the
duo in the lead heading into the final day of the ISPS Handa Women’s
Australian Open.
Ko and Jutanugarn, who both held a share of the second-round lead along with
Ha Na Jang, finished 54 holes at 7-under-par 212 and will enter the final
round with a 1-shot lead over Amy Yang.
Ko, the youngest player ever to reach world No. 1 status at 17 years old, has
five career victories on the LPGA Tour, including two as an amateur and three
more during her rookie season in 2014. Jutanugarn is seeking her first win on
tour.
Yang fired a 3-under 70 in her third round on the Composite Course at Royal
Melbourne Golf Club, vaulting her into sole possession of third place at 6-
under 213.
Julieta Granada and Katherine Kirk also shot 70s, putting them in a tie for
fourth at 4-under 215. Jang finished with a 3-over 76 and she fell into sixth
at minus-3.
Defending champion Karrie Webb managed to shoot a 2-under 71 and she is tied
for 27th at 3-over 222. First-round leader Ilhee Lee, who struggled on her way
to an 82 in the second round, rebounded with the best round of the day on
Saturday with a 4-under 69. She is tied for 13th at even-par 219.
MORE TO FOLLOW.
