SYLVANIA, Ohio (AP) – With two late birdies, Lydia Ko had a 3-under 68 and doubled her lead in the Marathon Classic, four shots ahead as the former Number 1 player aims for his first LPGA win in two years.
Ko has participated in 44 tournaments around the world since his last win.
Danielle Kang, who won last week at nearby Inverness Club, had a 70 and was four shots behind. Kang came two shots from the lead with a bird on par-3 14th, but bogeyed the next one and picked up a bird in the last two holes, both par 5.
Ko, meanwhile, birded the 16th and 17th and finished four ahead. Ko was 16 years old under 197.
He had a one-shot advantage going round three at Highland Meadows and took control early, extending his lead to three shots at the turn. Unlike the opening two rounds, when the birds had to keep up, this round was all about pars. Ko lost nine par in a row until his big finish.
It promised to be a two-player match.
Australia’s Minjee Lee had a 68, while Jodi Ewart Shadoff, who started the round one shot behind, struggled to a 73. They were 10-under 203, six shots behind.
Lexi Thompson also lost ground with a 73 and fell 12 shots behind Ko.
Ko was heralded as the future of the LPGA Tour when she won the Canadian Women’s Open as a 15-year-old amateur. She was 17 when she rose to number 1 in the world, and racked up 14 wins and two majors before turning 20.
But he only has one win in the past four years.
Ko is a two-time winner of the Marathon Classic. A third win could be just what he needs to get back on track.
