Ko Ji-woo Leads High1 Resort Women's Open by 8 Strokes, Eyes 72-Hole Record

"Birdie Bomber" Ko Ji-woo has moved closer to her first victory of the season after carding a 9-under 64 in the third round of the KLPGA Tour High1 Resort Women's Open (total prize money of 1 billion won).

On Saturday, July 11, Ko recorded one eagle, eight birdies, and one bogey to finish at 9-under 64 at the High1 Country Club (par 73) in Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do.

With a three-round total of 24-under 195, Ko holds a commanding lead, sitting eight strokes ahead of co-runners-up Seo Eo-jin and Kim Min-ju, who are both at 16-under 203.

After tying for the lead in the first round and taking sole possession of the top spot in the second, Ko is now aiming for a wire-to-wire victory in the final fourth round on Sunday, July 12.

Ko has recorded two top-10 finishes in 11 tournaments this season but has yet to lift a championship trophy.

Ko is also challenging the KLPGA Tour 72-hole record for the lowest score (29-under 259), set by Hong Jung-min at the Mediheal-Hankook Ilbo Championship in August last year.

If Ko shoots another 9-under 64 in the fourth round, she will tie the record.

Ko established her dominance early today by shaving off five strokes on the front nine alone.

The second hole (par 4) was the highlight.

Her second iron shot from the fairway traveled over 80 meters, landed on the green, and spun back into the hole.

After securing the lucky eagle, Ko kept the momentum going with three consecutive birdies starting from the fourth hole (par 5).

On the back nine, she added consecutive birdies on the 10th (par 4) and 11th (par 5) holes to pull further away from the chasing pack.

Although she made her first bogey of the day after a three-putt on the 12th hole (par 4), she immediately bounced back with a birdie on the 13th (par 4).

She finished the round on a high note with additional birdies on the 15th (par 5) and the final 18th hole (par 5).

Lee Ji-hyun, born in 1998 and seeking her first career win, and six-time winner Kim Su-ji are tied for fifth at 14-under 205.

Park Hyun-kyung, who won the JLPGA Tour Earth Mondahmin Cup last month, shot a 5-under today to sit in a tie for 11th at 11-under 208 alongside Yoo Seo-yeon, Ahn Song-yi, Lim Hee-jeong, and Lee Yul-rin.

"Super rookie" Kim Min-sol, who has three wins this season, and defending champion Bang Shin-sil are tied for 48th at 5-under 214.

(Photo courtesy of KLPGA Tour, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.