Chella Choi of South Korea shot a blistering 10-under-par 62 to tie amateur Minjee Lee of Australia for the lead heading to the final round of the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open at Victoria Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia.
Choi had an eagle and a birdie on her front nine before closing with a rush, carding four consecutive birdies and adding an eagle on the short par-5 18th hole, to play the back nine in 6-under 30.
“I missed some short irons the last couple of days, yesterday and today, so I just tried to focus on just my short iron because if I have a lot of chances (with my) short iron, I make a lot of birdie chances,” said the 23-year-old Choi, who is seeking her first LPGA Tour victory.
“I had a lot of misses yesterday, so I just practice after the round yesterday. So my pace is much better and my putting is much better than before. … I don’t know why I played 10-under today. It’s just amazing. I made two eagles today, so first time, so yeah.”
Lee, 17, who finished second to Cheyenne Woods last week in the Volvik RACV Australian Ladies Masters, made her only bogey at No. 13, but birdied the 15th and 16th holes to pull even with Choi.
Lydia Ko, 16, from New Zealand, was two strokes back in third after a 69, and Suzann Pettersen of Norway, who can take the No. 1 spot in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings by finishing first or second, was another shot behind in fourth after a 72.
Caroline Hedwall of Sweden, the 36-hole leader, struggled to a 74 and was in a tie for fifth with seven players, including Morgan Pressel, who had a 70.
