Ko treads water
‘ It’s always nice to be able to start the season on a good note, and I’ve obviously got tomorrow. Hopefully, I’ll be able to finish off on a high note. ’ LYDIA KO
LYDIA Ko has been unable to make up the ground she needed to in the third round at the Women’s Australian Open.
The world No 10 began yesterday in a tie for 14th, and finished in a tie for 12th, after a one-under round at Kooyonga Golf Club in South Australia.
Birdies on the par-five ninth and the par-four 10th were offset somewhat by a bogey on the parfour 17th, and she sits at threeunder overall.
The round was at least better than her second one on Friday, when she had seven bogeys and slipped down the leaderboard.
‘‘It’s always nice to be able to start the season on a good note, and I’ve obviously got tomorrow,’’ Lydia Ko said. ‘‘Hopefully, I’ll be able to finish off on a high note.’’
South Korea’s Jin Young Ko leads the way with one round to go, at 11-under, followed by Australian Hannah Green, who is four shots back. Ko has had a busy week. It was revealed on Tuesday that she had replaced coach Gary Gilchrist with former PGA Tour GETTY IMAGES professional Ted Oh, and that Johnny Scott had replaced Peter Godfrey as her caddie. Scott is Ko’s 11th caddie since she turned professional in 2013.
Australian golfer Hannah Green moved into second place after the round of the day, a 66.
Green, 21, is seeking to become the first Australian to claim her national crown since Karrie Webb won the last of her five titles in 2014. Webb, who is playing a part-time schedule in 2018, missed the cut Friday by one stroke.
Green birdied her first three holes yesterday and then added two more on the eighth and ninth. Two more birdies followed with her only dropped shot on the 17th.
‘‘I was very pleased with my ball striking,’’ Green said. ‘‘I have put myself in contention so I’m very happy with how things are panning out.’’