Jin Young Ko of South Korea watches her shot on the second hole during the third round of the LPGA KEB HanaBank Championship at the Sky72 Golf Club in Incheon, South Korea, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
October 14, 2017 - 7:40 AM
INCHEON, Korea, Republic Of - Jin Young Ko fired a 6-under 66 Saturday to take a two-shot lead after the third round of the KEB Hana Bank Championship while Canadian Brooke Henderson moved into contention with a bogey-free 68.
Ko, from South Korea, carded six birdies on the Ocean Course, including two over her last three holes, to post a 15-under total of 201. Compatriots Sung Hyun Park and In Gee Chun both shot 68 and are tied for second at 13-under 203.
"My iron shots today were really strong so I was able to make a lot of birdie chances for myself," said Ko, a nine-time winner on the local KLPGA Tour.
Henderson, from Smiths Falls, Ont., was tied for eighth, five strokes off the lead. Alena Sharp of Hamilton was at 2-over 218 overall after a 72.
Park, looking for her third LPGA Tour victory of the year, played solid golf for most of the third round with five birdies and a sole bogey in her first 17 holes. She did well to salvage par at the last after pushing her drive way right into a hazard and having to take a penalty drop.
"Overall, I'm quite pleased with my game today," said Park, who has a mathematical chance of taking over at the top of the Rolex Rankings with a win on Sunday. "I finished 4 under on the front nine. I thought I would keep the momentum on the back nine, but my putting was a little bit off compared to the front nine."
Lizette Salas of the United States offset a lone bogey with five birdies for a 68 and was in sole possession of fourth place.
News from © The Associated Press, 2017