Hataoka takes advantage of Ko’s struggles

She has a 4-stroke lead in the LA Open headed into the final day at the Wilshire Country Club

LOS ANGELES » During Friday’s second round of the DIO Implant LA Open, Nasa Hataoka felt something click with her golf swing, helping her shoot a 3-under-par 67 and putting her on the top of the leaderboard with World No. 1 Jin Young Ko heading into Saturday’s third round at breezy Wilshire Country Club.

Hataoka’s heightened level of confidence with her swing and her game was on full display during the third round. Hitting 16 of 18 greens in regulation and making key putts throughout the round, Hataoka fired a 4-under 67, leaving her at 11-under 202 through 54 holes, four shots ahead of Australian Hannah Green who is alone in second at 7-under 206. Ko and fellow South Koreans Inbee Park (68) and Haeji Kang (69) are all tied for third at 6-under 207.

“I didn’t expect this position at the beginning of this week, but like I said before, something clicked inside me during yesterday’s round so I’ll try to keep that,” said Hataoka, a 23-year-old from Japan who has five LPGA Tour victories.

“All of my birdies except the one on nine were inside 15 feet, so I feel like I was putting really good. Especially afternoon, the poana greens are really tricky, but I feel like I was able to adjust to that.”

Through 15 holes on Saturday Hataoka and Ko lived up to the hype, each taking turns grabbing the lead. But over the ensuing two holes both the tie and perhaps Ko’s chances for her 14th LPGA tournament win were shattered by some uncharacteristically bad shots from Ko, who played 16 and 17 at 5 over.

Ko’s problems started with her third shot at the par-4 16th hole, when her chip from just below the green came up short, causing the ball to roll back to her. Her next chip went long, ending up 15 feet from the hole, but Ko calmly converted the bogey putt to minimize the damage. Hataoka made a birdie on the hole, giving her a two-shot lead.

But Ko’s troubles were far from over. After a perfect drive on the par-4, 17th hole, Ko pulled her approach shot into a water-filled barranca that runs the length of the 17th green. Ko’s ball somehow found a patch of mud, so instead of taking a penalty drop, Ko opted to play her ball where it came to rest. Twice she attempted to blast out of the barranca and twice she failed to escape. Ko finally took her drop, but the damage was done, and she finished with a quadruple-bogey 8.

With most of the fans focused on Hataoka and Ko, Green was able to go out and play under the radar. Without much pressure, she posted a solid round of 69, putting her in prime position to make a run at a win today.

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