28 Mar 2016

Ko takes the lead in California

5:18 am on 28 March 2016

World golf No.1 Lydia Ko has taken a three-shot lead in the latest event on the LPGA Tour event in California.

Lydia Ko, August, 2015.

Lydia Ko, August, 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

A shot off the pace in second after round two at Carlsbad, Ko fired a second consecutive five under par 67 on day three to go to 14 under for the tournament.

The New Zealander picked up two strokes on the front nine before knocking in three birdies in a row on holes 11 through 13 to move into a commanding position at the top of the leaderboard.

The overnight leader Jenny Shin from Korea could only manage a third round 71 to be pushed back into a tie for second at 11 under par with compatriot Sung Hyun Park (68) and America's Brittany Lang (70).

World No.2 Park Inbee (70) from Korea is a shot further back in fifth.

"You don't get that many opportunities where you're going into the final round with a few-shot lead," Ko said after the round.

"But I'll take it. I'd rather be a couple shots ahead than a couple shots behind."

"The girls are playing great golf. The course is tough, but still the scores are out there.

"I've just got to focus on my game and play one shot at a time and hopefully I'll be able to hit some good shots and give myself good looks for birdies."

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