Ko wrests Women’s PGA lead

SAMMAMISH, Washington – When Lydia Ko won the last two major championships, she was the one lurking behind.

On Sunday at Sahalee, the top-ranked Ko will take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

“I can’t control what the other girls are doing,” the 19-year-old Ko said. “So (I’ll) just try my best out there. We’ve still got a long 18 holes to go.”

Ko shot a 1-under 70 on Saturday to reach 2-under 211. She won the Evian Championship in September in France for her first major title and took the ANA Inspiration in April in California, giving her a chance to become the fifth player in tour history to win three straight majors.

“It’s really cool to, obviously, have my name in those records among those amazing players. And I think that’s the really cool thing about it,” Ko said. “But when I’m out there I’m not thinking so much about records and what could happen.”

Ko used her deft short-game to save shots on the 16th and 17th holes, but couldn’t avoid dropping a stroke at the last when her third shot went to the back of the green and she missed a 15-foot par putt.

Brittany Lincicome and Gerina Piller were tied for second. They each shot 71, with Lincicome also bogeying the 18th. Second round co-leaders Brooke Henderson and Mirim Lee each shot 73 to drop into the group at even par. Only three players were under par even as Sahalee played easier following overnight rain.

Ariya Jutanugarn, the winner of her last three tournaments, was in the group at even par. Jutanugarn got back into contention with a 68. Amy Yang also was even after the lowest round of the week, a 66. Yang went out in 32 and was 6 under for her round after a birdie at No. 15, before dropping a shot on the 16th.

Anna Nordqvist, the winner last week in New Jersey, and Chella Choi completed the group at even par. They each shot 69.