Kim Hyo-joo, Solo 2nd Place in LA Open Round 3... 2 Strokes Behind Leader

Intermediate total 12 under par 201
Challenging for 6th career tour win in final round

Kim Hyo-joo finished the third round of the U.S. Women's Professional Golf (LPGA) Tour's DIO Implant LA Open (total prize money $1.75 million) in sole second place, keeping her chances of winning alive.

Kim Hyo-joo [Photo by AP Yonhap News]

On the 2nd, Kim Hyo-joo shot 4 birdies and 2 bogeys for a 2-under-par 69 in the third round of the tournament held at Palos Verdes Golf Club (par 71, 6,447 yards) in Palos Verdes Estates, California, USA. With a total score of 12-under-par 201, she entered the final round in second place, two strokes behind co-leader Lin Ying (China), who shared the lead after the second round. She is aiming for her sixth tour victory, her first in a year since the Lotte Championship last April.

Kim Hyo-joo made 3 birdies in the front nine alone, reducing her score by 3 strokes, and recorded another birdie on the 11th hole (par 3), at one point leading alone by 3 strokes ahead of the second-place group. However, she lost a stroke with a bogey on the 13th hole (par 3), during which Lin Ying made three consecutive birdies from the 12th to the 14th holes and another birdie on the 16th hole (par 5), overtaking Kim Hyo-joo.

Georgia Hall (England), who shot two eagles and lowered her score by 9 strokes in one day, stood alone in third place with 10-under-par 203. Korean-American player Danielle Kang (USA) finished tied for fourth place with a score of 9-under-par 204, alongside Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand) and last year's tournament winner Nasa Hataoka (Japan). Ko Jin-young ended the third round tied for 17th place with a 5-under-par 208.