Lydia Ko yesterday took advantage of Park Sung-hyun’s struggles to take the lead in the LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship.
World No. 2 Ko made an 18-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a seven-under 65 and a one-stroke lead over Lexi Thompson. Park followed her course-record 62 with a 74 to drop two shots behind.
“I thought I played really solidly and made a lot of good putts,” Ko said. “When I was in trouble, I got a little fortunate, got a good lie in the rough.”
Photo: AFP
The South Korean-born New Zealander moved into position to regain the world No. 1 spot from South Korean star Inbee Park, one of her playing partners yesterday. Ko can take the top spot with a victory and could also move up under other scenarios depending on where Inbee Park finishes. Inbee Park replaced Ko atop the list in June with the first of her two major victories this year.
“The closer we get or if there is a switch, the media is going to talk about it,” Ko said. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to try and ignore you guys. I think that’s the best way, because when I’m out there, I’m just trying to hit a good shot and put myself in good position. If I thought about the rankings, the awards, it’s just way too much. It’s hard enough just trying to hit the ball straight out there.”
Ko had a 10-under 134 total on the Sky 72 Golf Club’s Ocean Course. She tied for second last week in the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia after winning her previous two starts in Canada and France, where she became the youngest major champion.
Photo: AFP
Inbee Park was tied for 25th at three-under after a 72. She is tied with Ko for the tour victory lead at four.
Thompson birdied three of the final four holes for a 67 on a course made more difficult by some tough pin positions.
“There were a few that were tucked on some ridges and that were just hard to get to,” the US golfer said. “I think there’s going to be even harder ones tomorrow.”
Park Sung-hyun took a four-stroke lead into the round, seven shots ahead of Ko.
“I think it would be a lie to say that I didn’t feel any pressure because of the record that I set yesterday,” Sung Hyun Park said.
Still four strokes ahead after birdies on four and five, she bogeyed the next three holes to drop into a tie for the lead with Ko. The 22-year-old South Korean, making her first LPGA Tour start, missed a 3-foot putt on No. 6 for her first bogey of the week, had a 4-footer circle the cup and stay out on No. 7 and missed from 6 feet on No. 8. She birdied the 10th, but bogeyed the 12th and 18th.
“It was very difficult to read some of the putting lines,” she said. “I think I missed a couple of putts that I could have made. That’s kind of lingering on my mind at the moment.”
South Korea’s Cho Yoon-ji was also eight-under after a 68.
Taiwan’s Yani Tseng, the 2011 winner, and South Korea’s Mirim Lee were tied at seven-under. Tseng shot 67, and Lee had a 69.
England’s Charley Hull, playing alongside Park Sung-hyun and US Solheim Cup hero Gerina Piller in the final group, pulled within a stroke of the lead on the seventh hole, but dropped five strokes on the next six holes and finished with a 74 to drop into a tie for 19th at four-under. Hull four-putted for a double bogey on No. 8, made a bogey on No. 10 and had another double bogey on the par-five 13th after hitting into the water.
Piller also was four-under after a 74.
The US’ Jessica Korda, the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia winner, was one-under along with Michelle Wie and US Solheim Cup captain Juli Inskter, the oldest player in the field at 55. They each shot 72.
Ko and Inbee Park both attracted large crowds of spectators.
“It’s great to play in front of big crowds,” Ko said. “I think they are as excited as us, even a little bit more... Last year was the first time playing in [South] Korea, and I’ve been noticing even more and more how much they love the LPGA and how much they love golf. I think the numbers are only going to go up. I think it’s going to be pretty crazy on the weekend.”
Kaohsiung-born Candie Kung of the US carded an even-par 72 to finished in a group tied at 60th.
Taiwan’s Min Lee finished the round with a four-over 76 to tie for 69th, just ahead of compatriot Hsu Wei-ling, who carded a two-over 74 to finish tied for 71st. Amateur Hou Yu-sang finished in 77th place after carding an 11-over 83 for a 161 total after two days of play.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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