South Korea’s Choi Na-yeon fired a career-best nine-under par 63 on Saturday to seize a two-shot lead in the US$1 million LPGA Samsung World Championship.
Choi had a 15-under total of 201 for three rounds. Overnight leader Shin Jiyai of South Korea carded a 68 to lie second on 203. Japan’s Ai Miyazato carded her third straight 68 and was alone in third on 204.
“I had a great round today,” said Choi, who equalled the tournament’s 54-hole record held by Annika Sorenstam. “I feel almost perfect with everything. My driver was good, iron shot good, and wedge and putter good. I think perfect today.”
Choi was six-under on the front nine, with four birdies in five holes from the second as well as birdies at eight and nine.
She nabbed four more birdies and her lone bogey of the day, at the 15th, on her inward run as she positioned herself for a run at her first LPGA Tour title.
Choi has been knocking on the door, with eight top-10 finishes this season.
World No. 1 Lorena Ochoa of Mexico shot a 72 and shared fourth place on 208 with American Paula Creamer, who carded a 70.
Taiwan’s Yani Tseng was lying in joint-sixth position on 211 along with Christie Kerr of the US.
The Torrey Pines South Course, which yielded 14 rounds in the 60s the first two days, played harder on Saturday, with faster greens and tough pin positions.
Miyazato and Shin, the only players apart from Choi to break 70, were impressed by the leader.
“That’s a really solid round,” Miyazato said. “Nine-under, that feels like 12-under on a normal golf course. This is not a very easy golf course.”
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