Ko Holds Narrow Lead In California

Jin Young Ko will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the ANA Inspiration as she goes in search of her first major title. The South Korean went into Saturday’s third round in California sitting four strokes off the pace, but stormed to the top of the leaderboard by recording six birdies at her opening 10 holes of the day.

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Indeed, after birdieing the 10th, Ko briefly opened up a five-shot lead, but she then dropped two shots at the par three 14th after finding the water and another bogey at the 15th had her nerves jangling.

However, the 23-year-old, who won the Founders Cup in Phoenix just two weeks ago, was able to recover from those setbacks, with a birdie at the 17th helping her sign for a round of 68 which takes her onto eight-under-par for the tournament.

In-Kyung Kim had held the overnight lead at Mission Hills Country Club, but she dropped three shots on her front nine and now sits one off the pace. American Danielle Kang is a further two shots back on five-under alongside Mi Hyang Lee, while a group of three players hold a share of fifth-place on three-under, although it will be a big ask for either Katherine Hull-Kirk, Alena Sharp or Jeongeun Lee to mount a serious challenge for overall glory.