Ko’s virtual reality
LYDIA Ko and Ariya Jutanugarn first competed against each other when playing a golf simulator at renowned coach David Leadbetter’s academy – today virtual competition becomes reality as they share the lead heading into the final day of the Australian Open.
The world No 1 and the rising Thai star make up the final pairing at Royal Melbourne after they could not be separated.
Ko went perilously close to carrying a one-stroke lead into the culmination of the prestigious A$1.2 million tournament but, in a trend evident from Thursday’s opening round, a pesky birdie putt on the 18th hole deviated from the target.
Instead the Kiwi carries the inevitable burden of expectation associated with her status at Royal Melbourne as she strives to win Australia’s most prestigious women’s event at the fifth attempt.
The precociously talented 17-year-old is already assured of eclipsing her 19th placing in her Open debut at Royal Melbourne in 2012 - though nothing short of victory will satisfy the Kiwi before she refocuses on regaining the New Zealand Open crown at Clearwater from Friday.
Ko, like her closest rivals, had her ups and downs on the lightning-fast undulating greens on the composite course, but responded to each setback to add a 72 to back-to-back 70s.
A tournament’s traditional ‘moving’ day never really gained traction in oppressive heat, though thankfully 37degC temperatures eased on the home stretch.
Jutanugarn, who held the joint lead with Ko and South Korea’s Ha Na Jang overnight, dropped back when she bogeyed the first but the 19-year-old warmed up late to join the Kiwi at sevenunder after also posting a fluctuating 72.
The duo have another South Korean, Amy Yang, in their slipstream one shot adrift after her three-under 70 was rewarded with outright third.
Ko, who needed eye drops for her contact lenses and a damp towel to cool her neck, ultimately defied challenging conditions to close in on her ninth win since turning professional.
Yet when the final round gets underway Ko has to overcome an anomaly: remarkably, only once – the 2012 Canadian Women’s Open – has she held or shared the lead after the first two rounds of an LPGA Tour event and gone on to win.
The signs appear promising for a long-awaited repeat after she recorded three birdies and two bogeys on an afternoon where no player was able to burn up the course.
Ko at least maintained her exacting standards, missing only one fairway, though she still managed to par 13 - a precursor to her final birdie on the next.
Her approach play was also spot on, save for an over-hit attack on the ninth that culminated in her first dropped shot.
A heavy approach to the ninth hole carried into the rough and although Ko nicely chipped on to within range of the pin, a 6-metre par-salvaging putt proved beyond her.
Then on 11 she got too aggressive with her birdie putt — her 10th of the round — and was unable to save par coming back.
Ko mounted her customary recovery – and showed rare emotion with a fist pump – when she made a 30-foot birdie putt on 12.
In contrast playing partner Ha Na Jang unravelled with a triplebogey 7 after driving into the rough and chipping from bunker to bunker. The world No 20 eventually is in sixth, four strokes off the pace.