Hataoka seizes opening after Ko’s lapses in L.A.
Nasa Hataoka took advantage of Jin Young Ko’s late meltdown Saturday to take a four-stroke lead into the final round of the DIO Implant LA Open.
Tied for the lead with Hataoka after a birdie on the par-five 15th, the top-ranked Ko bogeyed the par-four 16th and made a quadruple-bogey 8 on the 17th after failing twice to get the ball out of the deep barranca.
Hataoka birdied the 16th and parred the final two holes for a four-under 67 and 11-under 202 total at breezy Wilshire Country Club in Los Angeles. The 23-year-old from Japan has five LPGA Tour victories, winning twice last season.
“During yesterday’s round, something clicked inside me and I was able to bring that to today’s round too,” Hataoka said. “I think that really helped me today.”
Hannah Green of Australia was second after a 69.
Ko shot a 72, closing with a 15-foot birdie putt from the fringe on the par-three 18th, to fall into a tie for third with fellow South Korean players Inbee Park (68) and Haeji Kang (69).
On the 17th, Ko hit her second shot into the barranca that snakes through the historic layout. Instead of taking an unplayable lie, she climbed down into the gully and tried to hit out twice before taking an unplayable lie.
“I played not bad. Just 17 was big mistake,” Ko said. “But this is golf. I don’t have regret.”
On the 16th, Ko’s chip from in front of the green rolled back to her feet and she made a 20-footer to salvage bogey.
“This course is tough one, so I’m trying to focus on my game,” Ko said. “And I have one more round to go, so I will use all the energy from my body.”
Cantlay, Schauffele tied for Zurich lead
Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele played the back nine in eight-under 28 and shot a 12-under 60 in best-ball play to shatter the Zurich Classic three-round record at 29 under and stretch their lead to five strokes in Avondale, La. They broke the 54-hole mark of 23 under.
The final round will be alternate shot. Cantlay and Schauffele opened with a tournament-record 59 in best-ball play Thursday and had a 68 in alternate shot to maintain a one-stroke lead.
Alker seizes lead
Steven Alker moved into position for his second straight PGA Tour Champions victory, shooting a fiveunder 66 to take a two-stroke lead in the ClubCorp Classic in Irving, Texas.