The former world number 1 Lydia Ko, has put herself in a position to win her first title after 3 years of famine in Hawaii at the Kapolei Golf Club. Author of a solid 65 (-7) the New Zealander (-21), suddenly leads the American Nelly Korda who makes an excellent 63 (-9) this Friday in the 3rd round of the Lotte Championship. The French Céline Herbin climbed a few places in 40th position at -9, she confirmed a good recovery with a third day under par in 68 (-4).

Lydia KO at the helm of the Lotte Championship

Lydia KO at the helm of the Lotte Championship - photo Tristan Jones - LET

Nelly Korda, who went back and forth with Lydia Ko to take the lead throughout this third round, concluded with an excellent 63 (-9). The New Zealander scored one last time with the last of her seven birdies on the 18th.

“I stayed patient,” Ko said. “In a day like this, you just have to be engaged and do a good job and not be too worried. "

“The last three days have been so much fun. This is my state of mind and tomorrow I will see where it takes me at the end of the day. "

Ko with a score of -21 in this third round at the Kapolei Golf Club, offered good resistance this week, even in windy conditions. She played her last four rounds in - 31, after returning a sumptuous 62 last Sunday to the ANA Inspiration for her second second place of the year and beating the lowest score in a Slam tournament.

Ko's first final was in February at the LPGA Gainbridge, where she finished three shots behind victorious Nelly Korda.

At only 23 years old, the former world n ° 1 double holder of major, has already won 16 victories on the LPGA circuit, his last victory dating back to 2018. However, after a few changes of coach his game began to restore it. last summer when the LPGA resumed after its pandemic hiatus. Ko was then in the lead after 54 holes at the LPGA Classic Marathon in Ohio last July, but a score of 73 on the last lap left him one point behind winner Danielle Kang.

This week, Korda only needed 25 putts in his last three rounds.

“I missed a pair,” Korda said of his 63-year-old, “so it's kinda crazy. "

Yuka Saso, a 19-year-old Filipino girl playing at the invitation of a sponsor, has chained her 64 consecutive with a 71 (-1) is 3rd in ambush at -17 total four points from the lead. With two strokes ahead of Ko at the start of the third round, after a successful first hole, Ko made the birdies when Saso made three bogeys on the nine holes of the first leg.

The average score on Friday in Kapolei less windy than the day before was 68,3. In the leading pack is Leona Maguire, 4th with 65 (-7) and Amy Yang, in 5th position with 64 - (- 6).

Lexi Thompson who played 67 (-5) shares 6th position at -14 with two Koreans, Sei Young Kim (67) and Hyo Joo Kim (69).

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