Lotte Championship Day 3: Corda 2nd, Saso 3rd, Kim Se-young and Kim Hyo-joo Tied 6th, Park In-bee and Henderson Tied 16th
Yang Hee-young is making an iron shot on the 17th hole on the third day of the Lotte Championship. Kapolei, Hawaii, USA = Getty Images / Multibits
[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Yang Hee-young (32, Woori Financial Group) is sailing smoothly.
On the 17th (Korean time), at the Kapolei Golf Club (par 72, 6,397 yards) on Oahu Island, Hawaii, USA, during the third day of the LPGA Tour Lotte Championship (total prize money $2 million), she surged with an 8-under-par round to rise to 5th place (15-under-par 201 strokes). Lydia Ko (New Zealand) leads with 21-under-par 195 strokes, Nelly Korda (USA) is 2nd with 20-under-par 196 strokes, and Yuka Saso (Philippines) is in 3rd place with 17-under-par 199 strokes.
Starting from a tie for 20th place, 9 strokes behind, Yang Hee-young showcased flawless play with 8 birdies and no bogeys. She made 'stepping stone birdies' on holes 2 and 4 and consecutive birdies on holes 7 and 8, reducing 4 strokes in the front nine. In the back nine, she hunted birdies on holes 10, 13, 14, and 18. She relied on powerful drives averaging 306 yards and 'stingy putting' with only 26 putts in the round. She is 6 strokes behind the leader, and the spark for her 5th career win since the 2019 Honda LPGA Thailand is still alive.
"I was very happy to make a hole-in-one yesterday," said Yang Hee-young. "It seems to have given me momentum going into the weekend. Today, I created many opportunities with solid shots, and my putting was good," she cheered. Lydia Ko captured the top of the leaderboard with 7 birdies. She is aiming for her first win in 3 years since the 2018 Mediheal Championship. 'Gainbridge Champ' Korda reduced 9 strokes, seizing the chance for her 2nd win of the season and 5th career victory.
Saso, who led for two consecutive days, faltered with just 1-under-par. Brooke Henderson (Canada), the 2018 and 2019 champion, remained tied for 16th place (12-under-par 204 strokes). From Korea, Kim Se-young (28, Mediheal) and Kim Hyo-joo (26, Lotte) rose to a tie for 6th place (14-under-par 202 strokes). Park In-bee (33, KB Financial Group), Yoo So-yeon (31, Mediheal), and Kim A-rim (26, SBI Savings Bank) are tied for 16th, and Jeon In-ji (27, KB Financial Group) is tied for 40th place (9-under-par 207 strokes).
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