ADELAIDE: American Lizette Salas seized the outright lead after the third round of the Australian Open on Saturday as world No. 1 Lydia Ko fell even further behind at Royal Adelaide.
Salas, ranked 71, stormed to 10-under with three birdies in her final five holes for a two-under 71 in the LPGA-sanctioned event.
She finished with five birdies and two bogeys to lead by two strokes from Australians Su Oh and Sarah Jane Smith along with Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum, all on eight under.
Salas played a superb back nine and grabbed the lead when she made consecutive birdies at the 14th and 15th before extending the margin when she two-putted for another birdie on the par-five 17th hole.
The American, whose parents are Mexican immigrants, has been strident in her social media criticism of President Donald Trump’s immigration policy, although she diplomatically stayed out of that debate at her post-round media conference.
“It would be such an honor and it would be my first win overseas, my first win with my dad here,” Salas said.
“On 18 my hands were a little numb. I was just trying to relax and stay patient. We’ll take it shot-for-shot tomorrow.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been in this position. I’m just going to embrace it and have fun.”
Ko’s charge looks all but over after an even-par round in the morning groups.
The New Zealander was running out of holes as she tried to close the gap on the leaders, but she posted just two birdies against two bogeys in an uneventful round.
Ko began the day nine shots off the lead at even-par for the tournament and subsequently failed to make any ground and was in joint 35th heading into the final 18 holes.
“I think I was playing a couple of yards for the coolness and the temperature itself, but it wasn’t easy,” Ko said.
Ko admitted her work off the tee let her down as she tried to get back into contention.
“I didn’t hit my drives very well compared to the last two days,” Ko said.
Salas, ranked 71, stormed to 10-under with three birdies in her final five holes for a two-under 71 in the LPGA-sanctioned event.
She finished with five birdies and two bogeys to lead by two strokes from Australians Su Oh and Sarah Jane Smith along with Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum, all on eight under.
Salas played a superb back nine and grabbed the lead when she made consecutive birdies at the 14th and 15th before extending the margin when she two-putted for another birdie on the par-five 17th hole.
The American, whose parents are Mexican immigrants, has been strident in her social media criticism of President Donald Trump’s immigration policy, although she diplomatically stayed out of that debate at her post-round media conference.
“It would be such an honor and it would be my first win overseas, my first win with my dad here,” Salas said.
“On 18 my hands were a little numb. I was just trying to relax and stay patient. We’ll take it shot-for-shot tomorrow.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been in this position. I’m just going to embrace it and have fun.”
Ko’s charge looks all but over after an even-par round in the morning groups.
The New Zealander was running out of holes as she tried to close the gap on the leaders, but she posted just two birdies against two bogeys in an uneventful round.
Ko began the day nine shots off the lead at even-par for the tournament and subsequently failed to make any ground and was in joint 35th heading into the final 18 holes.
“I think I was playing a couple of yards for the coolness and the temperature itself, but it wasn’t easy,” Ko said.
Ko admitted her work off the tee let her down as she tried to get back into contention.
“I didn’t hit my drives very well compared to the last two days,” Ko said.
