Singapore (AP) – Lydia Ko pulled a 48 under 68 Saturday to go behind a stroke at a stroke after three towers of the HSBC female world championship in the LPGA.
The 27-year-old New Zealander of South Korean origin had a total of 54 holes of 10-mine of 206 on the Tanjong course at the Sentosa Golf Club.
Charley Hull, who sorted up two of his first four holes, was a stroke in second position after a 68. Jeeno Thitikul, who had four nine backs for a 66, had the best round of the day to go to third place, three strokes behind Ko.
A Lim Kim, which led after the first two laps, moved in the wrong direction with a 73 and was tied in fourth place, four blows in advance. Hannah Green title champion had a 67 to move 16 places in the ranking and was five years old behind Ko.
Ko had three bogeys with seven birdies, including four on his new back.
“I made some mistakes, but I was able to bounce back with a few good birdies,” said former world n ยฐ 1. “No matter the context, as long as you can put a good score, and in the circumstances, I felt like I was playing really solid. I hope that these last days will give me a good pace for tomorrow.”
Ko continues his 23rd LPGA title and finally seeks to unravel in Singapore in 11 appearances. His best result during the tournament was a finalist in 2015.
Hull is trying to win its third LPGA tournament.
“My state of mind will not be different from the last three days,” said Hull. “Go ahead, play golf, trace putts and have fun.”
Hull said that she was looking forward to her final confrontation with Ko.
“I like to play with Lydia, she is a really, really nice person, so earth-to-earth, so kind,” said Hull.
The Singapore tournament is the second of the three events of the first Asian swing of the LPGA year. The final event will be played next week in Hainan Island, China.
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