South Korean duo Bae Hee-kyung and Baek Kyu-jung both shot four-under 68 to take a share of the lead after the third round of the KEB-HanaBank Championship yesterday.
Bae birdied five holes after the turn on the Ocean Course at the Sky72 Golf Club, while Baek had six birdies to go with two bogeys. “After making the first birdie on the back nine, I really picked up momentum,” Bae said. “My putting was stronger and my shots were stronger.”
Both were at five-under 211 overall, one stroke ahead of a large group that included No. 2-ranked Inbee Park, Suzann Pettersen of Norway and overnight leader Karine Icher of France, who only managed a 73.
Photo: AFP
Pettersen is bidding to win the tournament for a third time.
“I’m trying to just stick to the game plan,” Pettersen said. “I mean, I still feel like I have a low round on this course in me. Hopefully we can knock it out tomorrow.”
Park (68) could supplant Stacy Lewis at No. 1 if she wins the tournament. Lewis is not playing this week.
US Women’s Open champion Michelle Wie is two strokes off the pace after sinking four birdies on the last five holes for a 67.
Wie is making her first start since withdrawing during the Evian Championship last month after reinjuring a stress fracture in her right hand.
Defending champion Amy Yang of South Korea shot a 67 and is four strokes off the lead.
Women’s Open winner Mo Martin struggled with a 75 that left her tied for 54th place.
Brittany Lincicome of the US and Beatriz Recari of Spain both shot even-par 72 to join the group of 10 players tied for third.
Lee Min was the best-placed of the three Taiwanese players at the tournament. She shot a 73 for a total of 222, which left her in a tie for 54th. Compatriots Yani Tseng (223) and Chien Pei-yun (231) were in 60th and 78th respectively.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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