Lydia Ko goes into the final round of the Paris Olympics women’s golf tournament tied for the lead.
Ko sits level with Swiss golfer Morgane Metraux at nine-under after a four-under 68 in the third round at Le Golf National on Friday (Saturday NZ Time), with two shots between them and the nearest challengers.
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The 27-year-old Kiwi is attempting to win the gold to complete her set of Olympic medals and become just the sixth New Zealander to claim a medal of every colour at the Summer Games.
Ko, 27, began the day three shots behind Metraux in third-equal, but played solid golf throughout a challenging day when the wind was a factor. She shared the lead for a time and then took sole possession of it on the 14th hole.
Going to the par-five 18th, she had a two-stroke lead, but a poor drive left her having to be satisfied with par. Metraux, two behind by then, eagled the hole, so grab a share of the lead.
There were other strong challenges during the day, including from American Rose Zhang, who shot a 67, and Japan’s Miku Yamashita, who finished strongly to card 68, both sitting at seven-under.
Ko had six birdies and two bogeys in her 68. She picked up shots at the third, sixth and ninth holes, while bogeying the seventh, on the front-nine, while birdies came at the 10th, 14th and 17th on the back, with a bogey at the 12th.
The world No 22 seemed to thoroughly enjoy her round, chatting to Metraux as they walked up several fairways and was noticeably rooting for her opponents to pull off important putts.
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 will play with Metraux and Zhang in the final group on Saturday, teeing off at 10.39pm NZT.