Ko, Jutanugarn level after 3 rounds at Australian Open
Lydia Ko, of New Zealand, acknowledged the gallery after her putt on the 9th hole during the final round the LPGA Coates Golf Championship at the Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club, Jan. 31, in Ocala, Fla. (AP Photo/The Ocala Star-Banner, Bruce Ackerman)
MELBOURNE, Australia » World No. 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand and Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn both shot 1-under 72 on Saturday to share the lead after the third round of the Women’s Australian Open at Royal Melbourne.
Ko and Jutanugarn had 54-holes totals of 7-under 212, one better than South Korea’s Amy Yang, who shot 70.
Julieta Granada of Paraguay and Australia’s Katherine Kirk, also with 70s, were tied for fourth, three behind the leaders.
England’s Charley Hull shot 76 and dropped back into a group tied for seventh with Jessica Korda (75), the 2012 champion at Royal Melbourne.
It was a tough day at Royal Melbourne, particularly on the back nine. Only one player broke 70 — first-round leader Ilhee Lee with a 69. She’s tied for 13th and seven strokes behind.
