Ko leads after three rounds in bid for 3rd major in a year
SAN MARTIN, Calif. — When Lydia Ko first came to a U.S. Women’s Open four years ago, her hands were shaking so much out of nerves. Now with two major titles under her belt by age 19, Ko is able to keep those emotions under control and project a picture of calmness on the golf course.
Ko birdied the 18th hole to cap a 2-under-par 70 in the third round Saturday that put her in the lead at the U.S. Women’s Open, bolstering her chance for her third major title in less than a year.
“I think nerves are good because it means you’re excited,” Ko said. “You’re ready. It means a lot to you. You’ve got to be able to control it. But a little bit of nerves is always good. It can end up being a little bit of adrenaline.”
Whatever Ko is doing is working.
She became the youngest woman to win a major last year at the Evian Championship and followed that up by winning the ANA Inspiration this spring. Now she is in contention for her first U.S. Open title after failing to make the top 10 in her first four appearances.
Ko has a one-stroke lead over 2009 winner Eun Hee Ji and Sung Hyun Park. Brittany Lang and Amy Yang are two shots back at 5 under, and Angela Stanford is in sixth place at 4 under at CordeValle.
“I’m going to just try and enjoy it, just focus on the shot I have in front of me and not think about what everybody else is doing,” Ko said.
Ko’s week at the Open got off to a somewhat shaky start when she was tied for 52nd after a 73 in the first round in the difficult afternoon conditions.
But Ko moved into contention with a 66 in the second round and then took sole possession of the lead on the final hole Saturday. Her approach shot spun back about 9 feet from the hole. She calmly sank the putt and then threw her ball into the stands in celebration.
There are several other golfers lurking close enough to make a push on Sunday. Danielle Kang is at 3 under and fellow Americans Cristie Kerr, Stacy Lewis and Kris Tamulis are among seven golfers five shots back at 2 under.