Ko Takes Solo Lead in Canadian Women's Open


Fifteen-year-old amateur Lydia Ko continues to impress at the Canadian Women's Open. The New Zealand native, who won the U.S. Women's Amateur two weeks ago, carded even-par 72 at Vancouver Golf Club in British Columbia to take the outright lead after 54 holes of the $2 million LPGA Tour event.

Ko, who began the third round tied for the lead with South Korea's Chella Choi, carded three birdies and a like number of bogeys for a total of 8-under 208, one stroke ahead of Choi (73), Stacy Lewis (66) and South Koreans Jiyai Shin (69) and Inbee Park (70).

If Ko can pull off the victory, she'll become the fifth amateur winner in LPGA Tour history and first since JoAnne Carner at the 1969 Burdine's Invitational. Ko will also become the youngest LPGA winner; a 16-year-old Lexi Thompson won the Navistar LPGA Classic last September.

Ko is already the youngest winner of a pro event; last January she took the New South Wales Open in Australia at age 14.

Defending champion Brittany Lincicome shot a 70 to get to 1-under 215, and No. 1-ranked Yani Tseng, who opened with a promising 66, followed up her 75 Friday with a third-round 74 for a share of 21st with Lincicome.

For all the scores, visit http://www.lpgascoring.com/public/Leaderboard.aspx.