Golf. Ko, Ariya lead into final round of Australian Open

21 February 2015 10:01

World No.1 Lydia Ko and Thai teenager Ariya Jutanugarn shared the lead after the third round of the women's Australian Open at Royal Melbourne on Saturday.

The New Zealand teenager's usual birdie haul eluded her, with searing temperatures baking the greens.

She collected three birdies against two bogeys in a round of one-under 72 to move to seven under 212 for the tournament.

Ariya had three birdies and two bogeys to stay with Ko in what is shaping as a titanic battle in the final round.

At 19 and in an injury-interrupted career, the Thai star has never finished worse than 11th in seven previous LPGA Tour starts.

Ko said conditions were so tough it was like playing in a major.

"You hit in on to the green and you have this humungous break," she said.

"It's tough in every aspect. it does feel like a major."

While Ko will start favourite in Sunday's final round, South Korea's Amy Yang laid down a challenge after a three-under 70 to be a shotback at six under 213.

South Korea's Jang Ha-Na, who held the overnight lead with Ko and Ariya, signed for a 76 to drop back to a share of sixth.

Defending champion Karrie Webb was out on course early and had an impressive round of two-under to be in a tie for 27th at three over.

Ko said navigating Royal Melbourne's greens was so tough she predicted that 10-under would be enough to take the title on Sunday, particularly if the wind strengthened.

"Sometimes it's guess work so I think a couple under par would be good and that's going to be my goal," Ko said.

The best score of the third round was a four-under par 69 by South Korea's Lee Il-Hee, who would be in contention but for a shocking second round 82.

Source: AFP