Jin Younger Ko shot a 5-under 67 on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead after three rounds on the inaugural FM Championship at TPC Boston in Norton, Mass.
The South Korea native bookended her day with birdies on the primary two holes and the final two holes and added two extra towards a single bogey to take management at 11 underneath heading into the ultimate spherical Sunday.
“I simply needed to have good golf this week in Boston,” Ko stated. “I imply, a whole lot of Korean followers on the market, so they’re cheering me a lot. I really feel actually beloved. Yeah, yet one more spherical to go. I’ll focus myself tomorrow.”
Lauren Coughlin sits alone in second place after carding her third straight 69, placing her at 9 underneath for the event.
“Nonetheless making an attempt to go play my recreation, keep in my bubble, do what I may do, hit good pictures, and attempt to make some putts,” Coughlin stated.
Three golfers are inside three strokes of Ko at 8 underneath: Spain’s Carlota Ciganda (67), Allisen Corpuz (67) and Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul (69).
“I simply felt actually comfy with the putter this week. Been seeing much more putts go in,” Corpuz stated. “ … Been capable of get just a few shut and make the birdie putts.”
South Korean Haeran Ryu had shot a 10-under-par 62 on Friday to take a commanding six-stroke lead, however she had a Saturday to neglect, struggling two double-bogeys amongst her first 4 holes and carding one other 5 bogeys on her option to a 6-over 78.
Nonetheless, Ryu is tied for sixth with Germany’s Alexandra Forsterling (67) at 7 underneath regardless of the disastrous spherical and lurks inside putting distance of her second profession win.
On the different finish of the spectrum, a formidable 8-under 64 vaulted China’s Ruixin Liu into competition. Her day included an eagle on the par-4 tenth and eight birdies to associate with a pair of bogeys. That put her in a tie for eighth with Yealimi Noh (73).
“For me the most important distinction is I used to be capable of hit extra fairways in comparison with the primary two days, so I gave myself extra alternatives for birdies,” Liu stated.
“I don’t have any expectation immediately as a result of I barely made the reduce … I’m simply very grateful I’m capable of play immediately, so I believe that’s crucial purpose why I’m capable of shoot this low.”
Marina Alex, who led after one spherical, posted a 4-over 76 to fall right into a tie for forty sixth at even par.