Top-ranked Lydia Ko of New Zealand sank a nine-foot birdie putt on the final hole to take a one-stroke lead over Eun-Hee Ji and Sung Hyun Park, both of South Korea, entering the final round of the U.S. Women’s Open at CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin, near San Jose.
The 19-year-old Ko won the ANA Inspiration earlier this year at Mission Hills and the Evian Championship last year for her first two major titles, among her 13 victories on the LPGA Tour.
“I think I’ve always come off after a U.S. Open and said, ‘Hey, I could have done a little better,'” said Ko, who posted a 2-under-par 70. “I always felt like something was missing.
“But I’m happy with the way I’ve kind of progressed playing these U.S. Open championships. The most memorable of them all is Blackwolf Run when I first played (in 2012), because I was so nervous. I couldn’t control it at all.
“It just shows how much this championship means to me and means to the women’s game, and how important it is for any player and what a big honor it is to be holding the trophy at the end of Sunday.”
Ko has a 54-hole total of 209, one ahead of Ji, who also shot 70, and second-round leader Park, who struggled to a 74.
Brittany Lang carded a 68 that was the best score of the day and was two shots back in a tie for fourth with Amy Yang of South Korea, who had a 73, while Angela Stanford was three behind in sixth after a 71.
Danielle Kang of Westlake Village and Pepperdine was another stroke back in solo seventh, while Stacy Lewis recorded a 69 and was five behind in a tie for eighth with Ariya Jutanugarn (69) of Thailand, Gaby Lopez (71) of Mexico, Kris Tamulis (71), Cristie Kerr (72), Haru Nomura (75) of Japan and Mirim Lee (76) of South Korea.
Lee Lopez of Whittier and UCLA made a hole-in-one on the 201-yard 12th hole on her way to a 71 and is six strokes back in a tie for 20th.
Brooke Henderson, 18, of Canada, who won the Women’s PGA Championship last month, stumbled to her second 76 of the tournament and was tied for 58th.
