Lydia Ko goes into tomorrow’s final day of the women’s golf tied for the lead with the Swiss player, Morgane Metraux.
Ko, 27, began the day three behind Metraux and in third equal spot, but played good golf throughout a challenging day when the wind was always a problem. She shared the lead for a time and then took sole possession of it at 14.
Going to 18 she had a two-stroke lead, but a poor drive left her having to be satisfied with a par 5. Metraux, two behind by then, eagled the hole, so shares the lead with Ko on 207, nine under par. Ko finished the day with a 68.
There were other strong challenges during the day, including from American Rose Zhang, who shot a 67 and a total of 209, and Japan’s Miku Yamashita, who finished strongly to card 68 and also leave herself on 209.
The other player who was a factor today was Colombian Mariajo Uribe, who shared the lead for a time and had several putts lip the cup. She finished with a 71 and a score of 211.
World No 1 Nelly Korda of the US went 2 under and is on 212, five behind Ko and Metraux.
Ko had six birdies and two bogeys in her 68. The New Zealander, a medallist at both the Rio and Tokyo Olympics, seemed to thoroughly enjoy her round.
She chatted to Metraux as they walked up several fairways and was noticeably rooting for her opponents to pull off important putts.
It’s a very open tournament with any of nine or 10 golfers capable of winning, but if Ko does take the gold, it would mean she would earn herself a spot in the prestigious Women’s Golf Hall of Fame, which has been a target for her all year.
“I’d like to do it [finally get into the Hall of Fame],” she said after the second day, “because then everyone would stop asking me about it.”
Ko felt she played a solid round today, especially in view of the difficult wind conditions."I stayed patient, and that's a key," she said.
"All I can do is hit my best quality shots. The Olympics don't come round every day so you want to make the most of it."
Ko noted that for the third successive Olympics she will be in the final group on the last day, and said that was a bucket list item checked off.