Ko & Jutanugarn atop Women's Australian Open


Lydia Ko and Ariya Jutanugarn managed to retain a share of the lead in the Women's Australian Open at a very tough Royal Melbourne. The two enter Sunday's final round at 7-under 212, a stroke clear of South Korea's Amy Yang, who shot a 70.

The duo, who each shot 1-under 72s at the famed Alister MacKenzie-designed course, began the third round tied for the lead with Jang Ha Na, but the South Korean fell down the leaderboard after a 76.

The 17-year-old Ko, who recently moved up to No. 1 in the Rolex Rankings, had three birdies and two bogeys, the same configuration of scores as the 19-year-old Jutanugarn, the younger sister of fellow touring pro Moriya.

Ko spoke for the field about the difficulty of Royal Melbourne, which was further complicated on Saturday by heat and humidity. "You hit in on to the green and you have this humongous break," the New Zealander told reporters. "It's tough in every aspect . . . it does feel like a major."

Ko joked that she'd accept another 71 in the final round. "Yes, I would," she laughed. "If I don't have to play in that heat and get a 71 I'd take it."

After opening with rounds of 72 and 73, local favorite Katherine Kirk stormed up the leaderboard thanks to five birdies in six holes at the start of the back nine.

The 32-year-old from Brisbane also had another birdie and three bogeys for a 70 to rise into a tie for fourth at 215 with Paraguay's Julieta Granada, who also carded a 70.

Kirk, a two-time winner on the LPGA Tour with six more titles on the ALPG Tour, was pleased with her outing. "I'm very happy with it because it's not easy to make birdies out there and I made six," Kirk said.

"I made two long putts and they're just bonuses, but that's probably as good as it gets today. You know this week that you're going to make bogeys; it's a tough golf course and they're inevitable."

Na is in solo sixth at 216, while two strokes back are Chella Choi (71), Beatriz Recari (72), Paz Echeverria (71), Gwladys Nocera (74) and American Jessica Korda (75). The 21-year-old Korda logged her first victory as a pro at the 2012 Women's Australian Open.

After posting a 78 in the second round, defending champion Karrie Webb rebounded with a 71. But the World Golf Hall of Fame member has some work to do for a repeat victory; she enters Sunday at 3-over 222 and in a tie for 27th.

For all the scores, visit http://alpg.com.au/tournament.php?id=2375&pid=1150&sec=lb.