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Ko finds form but still trails in Sentosa Golf Course
World number one Lydia Ko says she has to prepare mentally and be ready before going out on the course. – Reuters pic, March 5, 2016.World number one Lydia Ko finally found her rhythm and carded a five-under-par 67 on Saturday as South Korea’s Jang Ha-Na took the lead of the HSBC Women’s Champions in Singapore.
After enduring poor form in the first two days, Ko said her shots finally found their mark on the hot and humid Sentosa Golf Course.
The 18-year-old is seeking a maiden win at the tournament in Singapore but trails Jang by eight strokes ahead of Sunday's final round.
“I hit the ball much better today,” said the New Zealander.
“I got a few putts to go in and they weren’t very long.
“But I just played more solid and when you play a bogey-free round, especially at a course like this, it means I was scrambling well and hitting the ball pretty solid. So I think that was the biggest difference.”
The battle for the title is expected to be a close affair. Jang leads Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum by a stroke, and is another shot ahead of South Korean compatriots Amy Yang and Lee Mi-Rim.
Jang had shared the lead with Lee on Friday.
“Maybe tomorrow, I will really enjoy the game because my good friend is Pornanong,” said the 23-year-old, who will tee off with the Thai and Yang.
“She's really my close friend. I’ll just keep it simple tomorrow, the same as I have been doing every day and that is not to think too much because I know how to play and score.”
The 26-year-old Thai is chasing a first LPGA Tour win and like Jang, aims to keep it simple.
“I have to prepare myself mentally before going out on the course. I have to be ready and not think too much like I did today.”
Ko has her work cut out for her.
But after playing in the same flight as Cristie Kerr, who shot seven birdies and helped push her game, Ko is hoping that the American will motivate her again in the final round.
“Hopefully, I’ll continue the good rhythm from today and play alongside players like Cristie,” said Ko, who will start her final round flight with Kerr and Gerina Piller of the United States.
“She is a good person to kind of feed off because she putted well every single round I played with her." – AFP, March 5, 2016.
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