OCALA, Fla. >> Lydia Ko is one round from potentially making golf history.

The 17-year-old New Zealander birdied five consecutive holes and shot a 7-under 65 in the third round of the Coates Golf Championship on Friday to take the outright lead in the LPGA Tour’s season opener.

If she hangs on Saturday, she would become the youngest golfer — male or female — to be ranked No. 1 in the World Golf Rankings.

"I really haven’t thought about it," Ko said. "Like I’ve always said, the rankings come after the results in each tournament. It would be great and it would be a huge honor to be in that position, but we’ve still got another long 18 holes to go, and you never know what’s going to happen in those holes."

Second-round leader Ha Na Jang was a stroke back at 13-under 203 after a 1-under 71 Friday. Fellow South Korean Na Yeon Choi shot a 6-under 66 and was two back at 12 under.

American Stacy Lewis (70) was 10 under, one stroke ahead of Amy Yang (65), Jessica Korda (69) and Austin Ernst (70).

Michelle Wie shot 73 in the third round and fell into a tie for 30th in the 77-player field at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club.

All of them are chasing Ko, who is chasing history as well as her sixth career LPGA victory.

"There are so many great players that are like one to four shots (back)," Ko said. "You just never know what’s going to happen. I’m just going to concentrate on my game, stay really positive, and if somebody else shoots a much bigger score than I do, I can’t really do much about it. I’m just going to focus and hopefully I’ll be able to shoot a good score (Saturday)."

By mid-afternoon Friday, much of the focus had turned to Ko. She three-putted Nos. 10 and 11 to start the back nine, falling four strokes behind leader Jang. Ko slammed her putter into her bag and mumbled to herself, ‘OK, you’ve got to start working again.’ "

She outplayed everyone on the course from there, showing the poise of a tour veteran instead of the nerves of a teenager.

Warren is clubhouse leader

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates >> Marc Warren of Scotland did his chances of making a first-ever appearance at the Masters no harm by taking the clubhouse lead in the second round of the Dubai Desert Classic on Friday.

Warren, who finished second in Doha last week and improved his world ranking to 56th, added a fine 7-under-par 65 to his 66 on the opening day to finish one stroke ahead of Graeme McDowell (65) and England’s Seve Benson (67). They were at 13 under overall.