‘New Bride’ Lydia Ko "2nd Place by 1 Stroke"… Bu Leads

LET Aramco Saudi Ladies International 3R

‘Newlywed’ Lydia Ko (New Zealand) has a chance to win.

World No. 1 Lydia Ko shot a 6-under-par 66 in the third round of the Ladies European Tour (LET) Aramco Saudi Ladies International (total prize money $5 million) held on the 18th at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club (par 72, 6,225 yards) in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia, moving up to second place (17-under-par 199). Lilia Vu (USA) leads at 18-under-par 198, while Emily Kristine Pedersen (Denmark) and Aditi Ashok (India) are tied for third at 16-under-par 200.

Lydia Ko

Lydia Ko recorded six birdies without a single bogey. Her first birdie came on the 5th hole (par 4), followed by an impressive streak of four consecutive birdies from the 7th to the 10th holes. After parring six holes, she added another birdie on the 17th hole (par 4). She is just one stroke behind the leader, aiming for her second victory at this tournament since winning it in 2021. Lydia Ko, who married Jung Joon, the only son of Hyundai Card Vice Chairman Jung Tae-young, last December, is competing in this event for the first time this year.

Vu made a remarkable 7-under-par round to take control at the top of the leaderboard. Although she debuted on the LPGA Tour in 2019, she has yet to secure a win. Pedersen, the inaugural champion in 2020, joined the title race with a 7-under-par round. Lexi Thompson (USA) climbed to fifth place (13-under-par 203) with a daily best 9-under-par round. ‘LPGA Rookie of the Year’ Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand), Nasa Hataoka (Japan), and Georgia Hall (England) are tied for sixth place (11-under-par 205).

From Korea, ‘LPGA rookie’ Yoo Hae-ran shot 6-under-par to tie for 16th place (9-under-par 207). Kim Hyo-joo is in the same group. KLPGA members Lim Hee-jeong and Lee So-mi are tied for 18th place (8-under-par 208). Kim A-rim and Sung Yu-jin are tied for 31st place (5-under-par 211), and Hong Jeong-min is tied for 34th place (4-under-par 212). Jeon In-ji is tied for 39th place (3-under-par 213).