The US’ Danielle Kang yesterday shot a five-under 67 to move into a share of the third-round lead with South Korea’s Jenny Shin and Haru Nomura of Japan at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open.
Leading contenders Lydia Ko and Karrie Webb were one stroke off the lead at the Grange Golf Club’s West Course.
Kang, the 2010 and 2011 US Amateur champion, is looking for her first win on the LPGA Tour. She was at nine-under 207 along with Shin and Nomura, who each carded 70s in the round.
Kang said she took advice from her brother and caddie Alex.
“He kept saying: ‘be patient, be patient... You can’t get too ahead of yourself,’” Kang said. “Having him on my bag really helps.”
Tied for fourth were defending champion and No. 1-ranked Ko, who shot a 68, and five-time champion Webb after a 70.
Ko began her round with four consecutive birdies before a bogey on the fifth.
“It’s quite weird to say I was four-under through the first four and then even for the next 14, but I finished well with a birdie on the 17th and a good two-putt on the 18th, but it’s tough out there. It wasn’t as breezy as yesterday, but with the contours of the greens and the firmness and everything... I’m pretty pleased,” Ko said.
Catriona Matthew, the 46-year-old Scot who was tied for the lead after two rounds, shot a 73 and was seven-under, two strokes off the lead along with three others.
Matthew on Friday received an encouraging tweet from Jack Nicklaus. He won his sixth Masters and 18th and final major at Augusta in 1986, and wished her well after being tied for the lead after 36 holes.
“Yes, it was pretty cool, actually, it was nice,” Matthew said of Nicklaus’ tweet.
“Not a good day, a bit of a struggle, a few bad shots today and just didn’t hole any putts, but still, I’ve not played myself out of it,” she added.
Webb said she was not looking beyond her current five Women’s Australian Open titles ahead of today’s final round.
“I don’t think, I think, about the six,” she said. “I just want to have the opportunity to win tomorrow and that’s all I’ll be focusing on. If I put a ball-striking round together like I did today, you know I just have to make some putts and I’ll have a really good shot.”
Taiwan’s Cheng Ssu-chia carded a three-over 75 to tie for 55th along with 10 others on a three-round total of 218.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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