WIN IT THIS TIME
With a runner-up or win this week, Ko will take over the No. 1 spot in the Rolex Rankings regardless of what Inbee Park does in Korea. But Ko, who held the top spot for 19 weeks from February 2 to June 8 earlier this year said she would much rather win this week than any other scenario.
“To be able to win and become world No. 1, I think it would be just an extra bonus,” said Ko. “But I think winning will mean more to me rather than becoming world No. 1. The world No. 1 will be the added bonus.”
Ko became the youngest golfer, male or female, to reach the top rank in the world when she finished second at the COATES Golf Championship in the season-opening event in February. She said losing down the stretch to Na Yeon Choi somewhat spoiled the accomplishment.
“Yeah, came in tied second in Ocala and then became world No. 1. To me, obviously I was happy that I became world No. 1 and I was going to become world No. 1, but it did sting a little bit with the way I finished the last couple holes,” said Ko. “And it wasn’t the finish I was expecting. But you know, on that day, Na Yeon still played great.”
Ko has made it clear that winning is priority and accolades are the bonus.
“Inbee is playing great, and she’s playing consistently well week-in, week-out,” said Ko. “With the rankings, anything can change; with a couple wins by some player, they can be world No. 1. With how all that goes, I don’t know how it will end up tomorrow but I think winning this event will be the focal point of it and then to become the world No. 1 would be a great bonus.”
A NICE CUSHION
Ko’s four-shot lead heading into Sunday marks her largest 54-hole lead. She’s held at least a share of the third-round lead seven times in her career including four times this season but hasn’t had more than a one-shot cushion. She’s only won once with the outright lead and that came in her first victory as a 15-year-old at the 2012 Canadian Pacific Open. Just last week, Ko was tied for the lead going into Sunday in Korea but closed with a 72 to finish tied for fourth.
LYDIA KO’S RECORD WITH THIRD-ROUND LEAD
| Tournament | Lead | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship | Share | T-4 |
| 2015 Canadian Pacific Open | Share | Win |
| 2015 ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open | Share | Win |
| 2015 Coates Golf Championship | 1 Shot | T-2 |
| 2014 JTBC Founders Cup | 1 Shot | T-2 |
| 2013 ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open |
Share | 3rd |
| 2012 Canadian Women's Open | 1 Shot | Win |
MOVE OF THE DAY
Brittany Lang had the top performance on moving day and tied the low round of the week, 6-under 66, to move from T58 to T14 heading into the final day. Lang had a chance at 65 but finished with a bogey on the par 4, 9th hole.
“I had a rough Thursday. I really struggled,” said Lang. “I still felt like I was playing well and I had a really good back nine coming in yesterday. I think I made like five birdies on the back nine or something. So I had a lot of good momentum. I just felt really good. I wanted to be really focused today, just pump up the intensity a little bit more. I was playing with Sandra, who I’m really good friends with, so we had a really good time.”
Lang, who started on the back nine, went out in 31 and had a string of four consecutive birdies on holes 11-14.
“Sandra (Gal) and I were just talking, having fun and I was hitting the ball so crisp, so pure, right at the flag,” said Lang. “So I was definitely in my zone. It’s so nice to get off to a start like that, especially on a course like this, because you can make a ton of birdies.”
)
)
)
)
