Ko, Lu share lead after 3rd round of Women’s British Open

Hamilton’ Sharp shot 5 over to give her a three-round score of 10 over.

There was an eight iron to a few inches for the first of four birdies but her most impressive stretch was into the wind on the final seven-hole stretch which she managed to negotiate in one under.

Lydia Ko (73), the world No. 2, Ryu So-yeon (72), the 2011 US Women’s Open champion, Taiwan’s Teresa Lu (71) and South Korea’s Ko Jin-young were two shots back in joint second.

Suzann Pettersen was out early in the second round of the Women’s British Open, shot 69 and set a halfway target that no one else could match on a day of horrendous weather at Turnberry, Scotland, on Friday.

Only two shots back, Ko is in contention for what would be her first major title. Considering not only Pettersen’s talent but the Solheim Cup star’s renowned competitive psyche, it borders on the absurd that she has only two majors to her name and has never been world No 1.

“Its the time of year where Im not really hitting it great… but Im just trying to play through it, ” said Park, who is playing Turnberry for the first time.

The Norwegian took a two-stroke lead into the weekend after being one of just two players to break 70 in a soggy second round at Turnberry that left many in the 144-woman field scurrying for shelter and bemoaning the un-summerlike conditions.

Canada’s Brooke Henderson struggled for a second straight day, carding a 3-over-75.

England’s Melissa Reid carded a double bogey on the first and was four over for the day after six holes, but produced a superb fightback with six birdies and an eagle to record a 69 and finish four under.

“Having somewhat of a chance on the last day is just a great opportunity”, said Park, who would be the sixth woman to sweep the majors. On the 12th hole I had 156 yards to the pin and knew I wasn’t going to get there with a 4-iron.

Both Ko and Lu birdied No. 17 and parred No. 18.

“Today was a very solid round of golf”, Pettersen said.

Asked if it will be a life-changing experience to be a major champion, the 28th-ranked Ko replied: “If I won, my life will be the same.”.

That moved her into a tie for the lead on 7-under par alongside Hyo-Joo Kim, who started her round just as Pettersen finished hers.

Rain is forecast all Sunday. More importantly, the 17-year-old will miss out on valuable prize money that would get her closer to qualifying for LPGA Tour membership next season.

“It was actually tougher in practice on Monday”, she said.

“I have to try to stay relaxed”, Lu said, “because it’s going to be a tough day tomorrow”.

Considering she had come off of the U.S. Women’s Open missing the cut earlier in the month, this is proof that she’s able to rebound quickly and compartmentalize a less-than-stellar performance.