21 Aug 2016

Ko, K4 crew lead NZ medal hopes on penultimate day

12:04 am on 21 August 2016

New Zealand's Lydia Ko could win the first Olympic gold medal in women's golf since 1900 when she competes in the final round in Rio tomorrow morning.

Lydia Ko in Rancho Mirage, 2015.

Lydia Ko in Rancho Mirage, 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Ko heads into the day in second place - two shots behind the leader Inbee Park - after she carded a 6 under par 65 in the third round to boost her up the standings.

A strong finish is all that is standing between her and an Olympic medal.

Also a strong chance at a gold medal is the women's K4 kayaking crew of Aimee Fisher, Kayla Imrie, Caitlin Ryan and Jaimee Lovett.

They won their semi-final with ease and posted the second fastest time overall to head into the final at 12.40am tonight with a good shot at finishing on top of the podium.

There are only three other athletes in action in Rio tomorrow.

Triathletes Andrea Hewitt and Nicky Samuels will compete at 2.00am but are not expected to finish in the top three places.

At midday runner Nick Willis will line up in the men's 1500m final.

He ran very well in his semi-final, finishing third to qualify for tomorrow's race, and if he pulls out another strong performance like that, he could add to his silver from the 2008 Olympics.

- RNZ