Ko Jin-young Leads by One Stroke with "Moving Day Spurt"... What About Lee Jeong-eun 6?

Published 04 Jul.2021 11:56(KST)

On the Third Day of the America Classic '32-Hole Marathon', Kastren and Henzelight Tied for 2nd Place, Lee Jeong-eun6 in 4th Place

Ko Jin-young is teeing off on the 2nd hole on the third day of the Amundi Classic. The Colony, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] Ko Jin-young (26) surged to the lead after a grueling "32-hole march."

On the 4th (Korean time) at Old American Golf Club in The Colony, Texas, USA (par 71, 6,475 yards), during the third day of the LPGA Tour Volunteers of America Classic (total prize money $1.5 million), Ko completed the remaining 14 holes of the second round at 1-under par and then fired a 5-under par in the third round to rise to a one-stroke lead (14-under 199). Matilda Castren (Finland) and Esther Henseleit (Germany) are tied for second place (13-under 200), and Lee Jeong-eun6 (25, Daebang Construction) is in fourth place (10-under 203).

Ko Jin-young's "moving day spurt" was particularly impressive. She made one eagle, three birdies, and even chipped in for an eagle on the 15th hole (par 4). Despite missing the green five times, she managed to save par each time with a brilliant short game. This marks her first win of the season and her eighth career victory, seven months after winning the CME Group Tour Championship last December. The motivation was further fueled by recently losing the world No. 1 ranking to Nelly Korda (USA).

Korda began a rest period after winning the third major of the 2021 season, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, on the 28th of last month. Castren is a player to watch. She debuted on the LPGA Tour last year and secured her first win in just her 15th tournament at the Mediheal Championship on the 14th of last month. In Korea, Lee Jeong-eun6 is within striking distance of the title. She carded five birdies and two bogeys for a 3-under par, finishing strong with three consecutive birdies on holes 16 through 18. Jeon In-ji (27) remains tied for seventh place (8-under 205).