Ko hits course record to share lead
Lydia Ko grabbed a share of the lead at the NW Arkansas Championship on Saturday after shooting a sparkling nine-under par round 62.
Ko equalled the Pinnacle Country Club’s course record set in 2008 to hold the lead at 14-under par along with America’s Morgan Pressel ahead of Sunday’s third and final round.
Canada’s Alena Sharp, Taiwan’s Candie Kung and Jing Yan of China lie two shots back at 12 under.
Overnight leader Ayako Uehara followed up her first-round 62 with a 74 to finish at 6 under.
Ko hit just two birdies on the front nine before her round burst into life with four consecutive birdies starting at 11. She then finished the round birdie-eagle to match the tournament’s 18 hole record set by Jane Park and Angela Park.
After her round, Ko said she was confident and had good memories of the Arkansas course from her amateur days.
"I've played a lot here in the past few years, and I got the opportunity to play here as an amateur, so there's a lot of good memories," said the world number one.
Ko added that she she was putting well and was looking to maintain the momentum going into the final round.
"You can see the low numbers, and at the end of the day the winner is definitely going to be holing a lot of good putts."
Latest
-
NewsRyder Cup golfer Thorbjorn Olesen grabbed woman’s breast on flight, court told
Thorbjorn Olesen is said to have been drinking and taking sleeping pills on the flight from the US to the UK.
-
PGA TourCollin Morikawa throws away big lead as Viktor Hovland wins Hero World Challenge
Hovland began the day six shots off the pace but carded a closing 66 at Albany to secure his third title of the season.
-
NewsRory McIlroy: Players want to know where they stand amid golf’s power struggle
The Northern Irishman was speaking ahead of the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.
-
NewsTiger Woods says he is ‘lucky to be alive’ after crash but has ‘long way to go’
The 45-year-old 15-time major winner was in pain throughout as he addressed his first press conference since February’s crash.
-
NewsTiger Woods rules out full-time return to golf after serious car crash
The 45-year-old required surgery on open fractures to his lower right leg after the single-vehicle accident in February.
-
The MastersLee Elder, the first black player to compete in the Masters, dies aged 87
Elder joined Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player as an honorary starter at Augusta National just over seven months ago.
-
Solheim CupSuzann Pettersen lands ‘dream’ job as Solheim Cup captain
The Norwegian will be going for a hat-trick of Europe wins after taking over from Catriona Matthew.
-
Ryder CupLee Westwood rules himself out of contention for 2023 Ryder Cup captaincy
Westwood says he cannot commit fully to the role while he is still competitive as a player.
-
European TourCollin Morikawa wins Race to Dubai as Rory McIlroy’s frustrations boil over
The Northern Irishman appeared to rip his shirt open in the recording area behind the 18th green.
-
NewsTiger Woods shares footage of him hitting balls as rehab continues
Woods was injured in a car accident in February.