The world golf number one Lydia Ko has rocketed up the leaderboard in the third round of the latest event on the LPGA tour in Arizona.
Lydia Ko lines up a putt, Texas, 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
After starting day three in 25th, Ko will go into day four in a tie for 5th, following her eight-under-par third-round 64 that took her to 15-under for the tournament.
Ko struck four birdies on the front nine and four birdies after the turn, to finish three strokes off the lead held by Korea's Eun-Hee Ji.
"I was struggling with my putting on the first day. It was a little better yesterday and a little better today so it was good to see the improvement as the days go on," said Ko.
Ko's ascent into the top ten has been incremental at the Phoenix tournament after a first round 70, that left her tied for 52nd, and a 67 on day two.
South Korea's Kim Sei-young dropped two shots on her last three holes to be replaced at the top of the leaderboard by compatriot Ji.
Ji shot a bogey-free 65 to move to 18-under-par at the Wildfire Golf Club in Phoenix, one shot ahead of 2015 rookie of the year Kim (70) and American Stacy Lewis, who carded a 64.
