Hataoka assumes lead

Nasa Hataoka took advantage of Jin Young Ko’s late meltdown yesterday to take a four-stroke lead into the final round of the DIO Implant LA Open.

Tied for the lead with Hataoka after a birdie on the par-five 15th, the top-ranked Ko bogeyed the par-four 16th and made a quadruple-bogey eight on the 17th after failing twice to get the ball out of the deep barranca.

Hataoka birdied the 16th and parred the final two holes for a four-under 67 and 11-under 202 total at breezy Wilshire Country Club.

The 23-year-old from Japan has five LPGA Tour victories, winning twice last season.

‘‘During yesterday’s round something clicked inside me and I was able to bring that to today’s round, too,’’ Hataoka said. ‘‘I think that really helped me today.’’

Hannah Green, of Australia, was second after a 69.

Ko shot a 72, closing with a 15-foot birdie putt from the fringe on the par-3 18th, to fall into a tie for third with fellow South Korean players Inbee Park (68) and Haeji Kang (69).