Park Ye-ji moved into the solo lead in the third round of the 16th Lotte Open on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, seizing a chance for her first career victory.
Park shot a 4-under-par 68 with six birdies and two bogeys in the third round held Sunday at the U.S.-Australasia course of Bear's Best Cheongna Golf Club in Incheon. With a running total of 13-under-par 203, Park moved into sole first place, one stroke ahead of the group tied for second.
Park, who started the third round tied for second, climbed the leaderboard by reducing her score with steady play. In the final round, she will play in the champion group for the first time and will also compete for her first KLPGA Tour victory.
"I don't really know how tomorrow will go myself," Park said after the round. "I'll shake off all the mistakes and stay focused with confidence only on this hole and this moment." She added, "I won't get discouraged just because it's the champion group. I'll play with confidence and composure."
The chasers are showing strong momentum as well. Lee Da-yeon, Yoo Hyun-jo and Lee Se-hee are tied for second with a running total of 12-under-par 204. All three trail leader Park by one stroke, setting up a fierce battle for the title in the final round.
World No. 3 Kim Hyo-joo managed to trim only one stroke with three birdies and one double bogey on the day. With a running total of 10-under-par 206, Kim sits in fifth, three strokes behind leader Park, and will aim for a come-from-behind victory on the final day. Moon Jung-min, who was the solo leader the previous day, dropped one stroke to a running total of 9-under-par 207, falling to seventh.
