Korda, Ko part of four-way tie

NAPLES, Fla. — Nelly Korda and Jin Young Ko are part of a four-way tie for the lead going into the final round of the season, with nothing less than $1.5 million and LPGA player of the year on the line.

Ko started pouring in putts from everywhere and ran off seven consecutive birdies that helped her make up a six-shot deficit and carried her to a 6-under 66. Korda followed by overpowering the par 5s on the back nine at Tiburon for a 67 to get back in the game.

They were tied at the CME Group Tour Championship with Celine Boutier of France, who started with a four-shot lead and wasn’t hurt by her 72, and Nasa Hataoka of Japan who had the low round of a windblown Saturday at 64.

They were at 14-under 202, setting up a final day bursting with possibilities.

Former University of Arkansas golfer Gaby Lopez of Mexico was poised to join them until her approach to the 18th found water down a slope so severe she barely find a spot to place the ball without it rolling away. She did well to escape with bogey for a 69 and was one shot behind along with Mina Harigae (69).

A dozen players were separated by two shots, a group that includes Lexi Thompson, who took bogey on the last hole for a 68 and still was right in the mix.

The winner gets $1.5 million, the largest prize in women’s golf, and there’s even more at stake for the LPGA Tour’s two best players this year.

Korda and Ko each have four wins — one of those was a major for Korda, along with an Olympic gold medal that doesn’t count on the LPGA. Korda has a 10-point lead in the race for player of the year, meaning Ko likely would have to win to surpass her.

None of that seems to faze Korda, a 23-year-old American with an elegant swing who is ruthless when it comes to competing.

“It’s for other people,” Korda said of how the stage is set for the LPGA finale. “I’m just out there to do my job, taking a shot at a time, and see where it takes me. That’s all you can do.”