'Victory Challenge' Kim Hyo-joo: "I Hope My Shots Go a Little Better Tomorrow"

LPGA Tour LA Open Round 3 Solo 2nd Place
2 Strokes Behind Leader Inruening

"I hope my shots tomorrow will be a little better than today."

Kim Hyo-joo [Photo by AP Yonhap News]

Kim Hyo-joo is determined to win as she heads into the final round of the LPGA Tour DIO Implant LA Open (total prize money $1.75 million). After completing the third round on the 2nd at Palos Verdes Golf Club (par 71, 6,447 yards) in Palos Verdes Estates, California, USA, she said, "My putting was good in the front nine, but my shots were really off, so I was busy trying to make up for that."

Kim Hyo-joo shot 2-under 69 with 4 birdies and 2 bogeys that day. With a total score of 12-under 201, she started the final round in solo second place, two strokes behind co-leader Lin Xiyu (China), who was tied for first after the second round the previous day. She is aiming for her sixth tour win, her first in a year since the Lotte Championship last April. On that day, she made 3 birdies in the front nine to reduce 3 strokes and also recorded a birdie on the 11th hole (par 3), at one point leading solo 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 Xiyu made three consecutive birdies from holes 12 to 14 and another birdie on the 16th hole (par 5) to take the lead.

During the round, Kim Hyo-joo was seen on TV broadcasts placing a warm pack on her stomach. When reporters asked about her condition, she pointed to her stomach area and said, "I'm fine except for here," explaining, "My hands tend to get very cold, so I kept using hot packs even though the weather was warm." She added, "I want to improve more this year compared to last year," and "I want to finish well tomorrow and be among the top ranks."

Georgia Hall (England), who shot two eagles and reduced 9 strokes in one day, stood alone in third place at 10-under 203. Korean-American player Danielle Kang (USA) tied for fourth place at 9-under 204 along with Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand) and last year's champion Hataoka Nasa (Japan). Ko Jin-young finished the third round at 5-under 208, tied for 17th place.