Kim maintains LPGA lead

Sei Young Kim was on the verge of taking all the drama out of the chase for the richest payoff in women’s golf history. She opened with three birdies in seven holes Saturday in the CME Group Tour Championship as her challengers either stalled or faded. She led by five shots before making the turn. Kim hit the brakes. Nelly Korda hit the gas. When the third round ended at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla., Kim had to settle for a 4-under 68 and a one-shot lead over Korda with one round remaining to see who wins the $1.5 million. Both made it sound as though it will be just another round of golf. Then again, no one in LPGA Tour history has ever played for this much cash. It’s more than either of them has made all year. “I had a pretty solid round front nine,” Kim said. “But back nine was little tough to focus.” Korda, who has a chance to reach No. 2 in the women’s world ranking with a victory, fell back early with a double bogey by going long of the green on the par-3 fourth. She recovered with three birdies over the next five holes, and then really turned it on. “Kind of hit the brakes every single day on the back nine,” Korda said. “I told myself to be really aggressive on the back nine, and it worked out today.” Kim was at 16-under 200 and will be in the final group with Korda. Caroline Masson of Germany, who will join them in the final pairing, had a 70 and was four shots behind, with Charley Hull of England another shot behind after a 66.