5 Aug 2018

Ko clinging on to slim hope

8:50 am on 5 August 2018

Lydia Ko will need something special in the final round to claim her maiden Women's British Open title.

Lydia Ko tracks the progress of a tee shot during the third round of the 2018 British Open.

Lydia Ko tracks the progress of a tee shot during the third round of the 2018 British Open. Photo: Photosport

New Zealand golfer Ko shot a third round of two-under par 70 at the Royal Lytham and St Annes course in Lancashire on Sunday (NZ time).

While the bogey-free effort had her at seven-under overall and was her third consecutive under-par round of the tournament, it still meant the former world No 1 was tied for ninth and six shots behind leader Pornanong Phatlum of Thailand.

Ko's ball striking set up many opportunities on day three and although she could only manage two birdies, she remained positive and said she would enter the final round with a more aggressive mindset.

"I hit the ball really solid which was good after a pretty average ball striking day yesterday, I felt like I putted my par putts really well, but the birdies putts weren't dropping that much.

"But to have a bogey free round especially at a major I will definitely take it, so hopefully I have a lower one tomorrow.

"I guess you just never know, I just have to go out there tomorrow and try play my best, maybe be a little bit more aggressive than I have been going.

"It's never over till the gloves off and the last putt drops on the 18th."

Phatlum fired a three-under par round of 69 to be 13-under par, with a one-shot advantage from England's Georgia Hall.

South Korean star So Yeon Ryu was outright third at 11-under.

Ko will tee off her final round at 12:40am (NZ time) on Sunday.

- RNZ