Ko slips back to the pack
Lydia Ko’s bid to claim the largest winner’s prize in the history of women’s golf suffered a setback yesterday.
The world No 3 carded a solid two-under round of 70 at the LPGA Tour’s season ending US$2 million (NZ$3.25m) CME Group Tour Championship in Florida, to sit on 15-under for the championship with one round to go.
But the Kiwi now shares the lead with Ireland’s Leona Maguire, who got around the Tiburon Golf Club course in 63 after firing nine birdies in a blemish-free round.
Ko had started the day with a five-shot lead after shooting a sixunder 66 in Naples to back up her opening round 65.
However, she got off to a sticky start with a bogey on the second hole before getting back on track with a birdie on the par-four fourth. Ko produced another bogey on the next hole, before eventually getting round the front nine in even par.
After relinquishing the clubhouse lead to Maguire, Ko looked set to head into the final day a shot behind the Irishwoman after a run of six pars on the back nine. But a birdie on 17 ensured she will start on level terms with the 27-year-old from Cavan.
‘‘A few putts here and there that could have, should have, would have,’’ Ko said after relinquishing her hefty lead.
Ko pointed out low scores were being carded each day, meaning she knew her overnight lead could evaporate even if she turned in a solid third round.
‘‘So, you know, it was a day that could have been worse. It could have been better, but still I thought I stayed really patient out there,’’ she said.
South Korean Hyo Joo Kim and Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh are five strokes off the pace in a share for third, with Canada’s Brooke Henderson and Swede Anna Nordqvist on nine-under and a quartet of players on eight-under.
Ko currently holds a onepoint lead in the race for LPGA Tour player of the year and is essentially a
lock to win the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average. Both are worth a point in her bid to qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame.
Should she win, and Nelly Korda finishes 21st or lower, she would also nab the world No 1 tag. Korda is tied for 12th through three rounds.
Ko, 25, has two wins this season in what has been one of her most consistent campaigns on the LPGA Tour.
If she wins the tournament, she would push her earnings for 2022 to around US$4.3m (NZ$7.1m) and virtually lock up the money title as well.
■ New Zealander Ryan Fox’s hopes of taking out the Race to Dubai crown have been shattered, despite an improved third round at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
The Kiwi world No 24 carded a two-under 70 yesterday which lifted him 11 places to a tie for 26th.
However, needing to finish ahead of Rory McIlroy in his quest to take tour honours, Fox is 11 shots behind the Northern Irishman who posted a 65.
McIlroy is in a tie for fourth at 12-under, three shots back of the leader, Spain’s Jon Rahm.
Sweden’s Alex Noren (68) is at 13-under, with England’s Matt Fitzpatrick (70) at 14-under.