29 Apr 2018

Ko poised for first win in almost 2 years

3:37 pm on 29 April 2018

The New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko has a one shot lead after the third round of the latest LPGA event in San Francisco.

Lydia Ko.

Lydia Ko. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Ko fired one of the rounds of the day, a five under par 67, to climb up three spots to the head of the field.

The last time she led an LPGA event after 54 holes was at the 2016 Marathon Classic, the last event she won.

American Jessica Korda is a shot behind in second place.

"I love San Francisco, I'm a member here so sometimes I get some friendly member bounces, but it brings back a lot of great memories and I knew no matter how well I played I was going to have a fun time," smiled Ko.

Beginning the day three shots off the pace, the world number 18 fought till the end and now is the final round favourite.

"Until that moment you are taking off your glove and the ball goes in the final hole on the last, you can never give up and that's just what I'm trying to do and as long as there's another hole to be played, another shot to be played, you've got another birdie opportunity."

After turning 21 earlier this week, Ko was tied for the lead after day one of the Mediheal Championship at the Lake Merced Golf Club and was then fourth after the second round.

Ko, who has fallen from top of the world rankings to 18th during the past 18 months, has a best result of tied for 10th in eight events so far this year, including tied for 31st at the Los Angeles Open last week.

After winning twice as a non-member at Lake Merced, Ko won her first tournament as a fully-fledged part of the LPGA Tour there in 2014 and went on to defend that title in 2015.

She also made the semifinals of the 2012 US Girls Junior Championship at the course and has a worst finish there of tied for sixth in 2016.

- RNZ