'Number 1' Ko Jin-young Quadruple Bogey "What Happened on the 17th Hole?"... "I Will Pour All My Energy Tomorrow" (Summary)

Published 24 Apr.2022 13:08(KST)

Day 3 of Dio Implant LA Open: Critical Blow with '6 On 17th Hole, 2 Putts', Hataoka Leads, 2nd Place Chasing 4 Strokes Behind on Green

Ko Jin-young is attempting a trouble shot on the 17th hole on the third day of the DIO Implant LA Open. Los Angeles, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-joon] A red light has turned on for world No. 1 Ko Jin-young’s (27) bid for a ‘second victory’.

On the 24th (Korean time), at the Wilshire Golf Course in Los Angeles, California, USA (par 71, 6,447 yards), during the third day of the LPGA Tour DIO Implant LA Open (total prize money $1.5 million), Ko Jin-young struggled with a 1-over-par round and remained tied for 3rd place (6-under 207). Nasa Hataoka (Japan) leads with 11-under 202, and Hannah Green (Australia) added 2-under to stand 4 strokes behind in 2nd place (7-under 206), engaging in a tough chase.

Ko Jin-young recorded 4 birdies, 1 bogey, and 1 quadruple bogey. Starting tied for the lead, she made her first birdie at the 2nd hole (par 5), then endured a dull stretch of pars over 10 holes before sparking momentum again with ‘stepping stone birdies’ at the 13th and 15th holes. The bogey at the 16th hole (par 4) was unfortunate. Hataoka’s birdie quickly pushed Ko down to 2nd place, 2 strokes behind. At the 17th hole (par 4), her second shot landed in the left waterway beside the green, bringing a bigger crisis.

It was surprising that Ko Jin-young attempted a trouble shot from the mud. However, the ball hit a concrete wall and bounced backward, and her fourth shot also landed in the water. After a one-stroke penalty and ‘6 on 2 putts,’ she suffered a critical quadruple bogey. She consoled herself with a birdie on the final 18th hole (par 3). “There was a big mistake on the 17th hole, but I have no regrets,” she said, adding, “I will pour all my energy into tomorrow.” Being 5 strokes behind the leader and considering her 7-under daily best the previous day, she is still in contention for the title.

Nasa Hataoka is teeing off on the 2nd hole on the third day of the DIO Implant LA Open. Los Angeles, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Getty Images

Hataoka is a player who secured two wins last year at the Marathon Classic in July and the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship in September. Today, her green hit rate of 88.89% and ‘pinpoint iron shots’ stood out. In Korea, Park In-bee (34, KB Financial Group) added 3-under to join Kang Hye-ji (32) tied for 3rd place. Choi Woon-jung (32, Volvik) is tied for 6th (4-under 209), Kim Se-young (29) tied for 9th (3-under 210), and Ji Eun-hee (36) tied for 14th (2-under 211) respectively.