Title slips away for Ko
It was moving day at the women’s US Open yesterday but unfortunately for Lydia Ko she moved the wrong way — down the leaderboard following a three-over 75 at Trump National Golf Course.
The world No 4 was in a share of 24th place at even par for the tournament heading into today’s final round, unlikely to contend for a third major title.
Ko started well with a birdie early into her third round, moving to fourunder and a share of eighth before back-to-back bogeys at holes 7 and 8. Ko then had a double bogey six at the 11th hole to fall back further before bouncing straight back with a birdie at the par four 12th.
However Ko was unable to replicate the strong finish she had the day before and dropped a further shot at the 16th to finish with a 75.
Chinese golfer Shanshan Feng rolled in a short birdie putt on the final hole to take the third-round lead.
Teenager Hye-Jin Choi and perennial Open bridesmaid Amy Yang were a stroke back heading in the final round of the biggest event in women’s golf — which had US President Donald Trump in attendance for the second straight day.
Feng shot a one-under 71 to reach nine-under 207 at the president’s club. Choi and Yang each shot 70. All three players are going to have Trump watching over them and probable a lot of South Korea, too, with the top six players chasing Feng all from the country.
Sung Hyun Park, the top rookie on the LPGA Tour, was six under after a 67.
Top-ranked So Yeon Ryu (71), Mirim Lee (67) and Jeongeun Lee (73) were five under.
Cristie Kerr, a former Open winner and a member at this course, gave the president an American to cheer for with a 70 that put her at four under with Spain’s Carlota Ciganda (72).
Feng had a one-shot lead after the first round and a two-shot margin at the halfway point.
Katherine Kirk is the best-placed Australian in a tie for 27th after her round of 74 left her at one over.