LOS ANGELES: World No. 1 Lydia Ko, who is seeking her third straight major championship title, fired a one-under 70 for a one-shot lead after the third round of the Women’s PGA Championship.
The 19-year-old Kiwi made bogey on the final hole to finish at two-under 211 as she has a 54-hole lead in a major championship for the first time in her career.
“You know, I’m happy with my position. I didn’t really know how it finished up, because I didn’t get to see what the last group finished up. But obviously I’ve got to be happy with it. And I’ve just got to stay positive,” Ko said.
“It seems like the girls, they’re playing really well, and they’re playing consistent. I’ve just got to focus on my game. And I can’t control what the other girls are doing. So, just try my best out there.
“We’ve still got a long 18 holes to go.”
Ko won the 2015 Evian Championship and 2016 ANA Inspiration and with a victory on Sunday she would become the first to win three consecutive majors since Park In-Bee in 2013.
Ko came from behind to win both of her major titles.
On Saturday, she had a one-shot lead on 18 when her ball bounced off a tree near the green on the par-four 423-yard finishing hole at the Sahalee Country Club course near Seattle, Washington.
That gave Brittany Lincicome had a chance to take a share of the lead with Ko, but the American three-putted the 18th for a bogey and a 71.
“It’s easier to come from behind than be the leader,” said Lincicome. “I feel like I’m in a great spot.
“Hopefully I just keep driving the ball like I have been doing all week.
“So I feel like I’m playing well. Hopefully tomorrow I can just shoot another good score.”
Gerina Piller failed to connect on a 35-foot putt on 18 which would have moved her into a tie with Ko. The American finished with a par and a 71 to tie Lincicome for second place.
All three will play in the final group Sunday.
Canada’s Brooke Henderson, who led after the first and second rounds, stumbled on Saturday as she fell out of the lead by dropping three shots on her first five holes.
She recorded a second straight 73 and was two shots behind in a tie for fourth in a large group that also included Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn (68) and Anna Nordqvist (69) of Sweden.
The 19-year-old Kiwi made bogey on the final hole to finish at two-under 211 as she has a 54-hole lead in a major championship for the first time in her career.
“You know, I’m happy with my position. I didn’t really know how it finished up, because I didn’t get to see what the last group finished up. But obviously I’ve got to be happy with it. And I’ve just got to stay positive,” Ko said.
“It seems like the girls, they’re playing really well, and they’re playing consistent. I’ve just got to focus on my game. And I can’t control what the other girls are doing. So, just try my best out there.
“We’ve still got a long 18 holes to go.”
Ko won the 2015 Evian Championship and 2016 ANA Inspiration and with a victory on Sunday she would become the first to win three consecutive majors since Park In-Bee in 2013.
Ko came from behind to win both of her major titles.
On Saturday, she had a one-shot lead on 18 when her ball bounced off a tree near the green on the par-four 423-yard finishing hole at the Sahalee Country Club course near Seattle, Washington.
That gave Brittany Lincicome had a chance to take a share of the lead with Ko, but the American three-putted the 18th for a bogey and a 71.
“It’s easier to come from behind than be the leader,” said Lincicome. “I feel like I’m in a great spot.
“Hopefully I just keep driving the ball like I have been doing all week.
“So I feel like I’m playing well. Hopefully tomorrow I can just shoot another good score.”
Gerina Piller failed to connect on a 35-foot putt on 18 which would have moved her into a tie with Ko. The American finished with a par and a 71 to tie Lincicome for second place.
All three will play in the final group Sunday.
Canada’s Brooke Henderson, who led after the first and second rounds, stumbled on Saturday as she fell out of the lead by dropping three shots on her first five holes.
She recorded a second straight 73 and was two shots behind in a tie for fourth in a large group that also included Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn (68) and Anna Nordqvist (69) of Sweden.
