Lydia Ko's first hole in one boosts
Olympic Gold chances
NEWS RELEASE FROM INTERNATIONAL GOLF FEDERATION
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: World
No. 1 Lydia Ko chose the
perfect moment to register the first
hole-in-one of her life
today – and that sweetest of seven-iron shots
could
potentially lead her to the promised land of Olympic glory in
Rio
de Janeiro.
Standing
in her way is the indomitable figure of the Republic of Korea’s Inbee
Park, the most decorated major champion in the field, who held firm in
blustery conditions to move two strokes clear in the race to capture the
first women’s Olympic gold since 1900.
With
the prospect of the winds increasing in intensity – and the
possibility of thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon – the final round will
now be played off the first and tenth tees at 07.00 with the leaders
teeing off at 08.44 in order to avoid disruption to a potentially
thrilling climax.
Meanwhile
Ko, the 19-year-old New Zealander who has taken the golfing world by
storm in three trophy-laden years as a professional, defied gusty,
swirling winds at Reserva de Marapendi Golf Course to blaze a trail
through the elite women’s field and into serious medal contention.
At
the end of a challenging day, which witnessed several changes at the
top of a powerful leaderboard, Ko found herself in a tie for second
place after a third round of 65 which featured a dazzling outward nine
holes of 29 – and the thrill of that ace from 140 yards.
Park,
a seven-time major winner, added a third round 70 for a total of 202 to
double her overnight lead to two shots while Ko’s 54-hole total of 204,
nine under par, sent her hurtling from 21st to second place alongside
Gerina Piller. The American dropped a shot at the 18th but managed to
sign for a three-under-par 68 and a total of 204 while China’s Shanshan
Feng matched that 68 to close in on the leading pack on 205.
The capricious nature of the afternoon
gusts damaged a number of medal prospects, with Piller’s compatriot,
Stacy Lewis, shooting a 76 to slip back from second place into a tie for
eighth. Brooke Mackenzie Henderson of Canada, who won the Women’s LPGA
Championship earlier this season, was only one shot better while Charley
Hull’s attempt to emulate Justin Rose’s men’s gold medal for Great
Britain also suffered a setback as she took 74.
The timing of Ko’s first hole-in-one
could not be more propitious, with the women’s Olympic competition
reaching a thrilling climax. The two Olympic events have now witnessed
four aces, with two in the men’s contest and two in one day for the
women, with Ko matching the feat of China’s Xi Yu Lin earlier in the
same day.
The
Kiwi said: “This is the first one in a practice round and tournaments,
all included. I almost didn't know how to react, because it is your
first one, and the wind is blowing and I haven't had the best of luck
when it comes to hole‑in‑ones. I would have loved to like done a dance
or jumped up‑and‑down, but in that situation, I think I was almost
trying to cry, and then realised I had 11 more holes to play.
“It's
really cool. It just puts the cherry on top. This week is about
having fun and this experience, being an Olympian and competing in the
Olympics, and to have my first hole-in-one, is something that I'll never
forget.”
The
medal chase promises to be exciting with Park, Ko and Piller at the
head of affairs, and the experienced Korean admitted: It was very
challenging (in the) conditions. I feel like I really struggled out
there. My putting was really, really good today, six birdies out in
those conditions is phenomenal. I’m very happy with where I'm positioned
right now. “
In
spite of the uncertainty over her fitness due to a long-term thumb
injury, Park has belief in her ability to strike gold. She added:
“Somewhere in my heart, after I made the decision to play this week, I
really believed in myself that I can do it. If I didn't have a trust in
myself, I wouldn't be playing this week.”
Feng,
who moved into podium contention, confirmed that the wind had caused
considerable difficulties. She explained: “The wind stayed in the same
direction but it was kind of gusty at some points. It was hard out
there, because even for me – and I'm not a short hitter - I used 3‑wood
into the greens on three par 4s, and that's not very normal. It was
really tough. You just need to stay patient the whole day, and I think I
did.”
Hull
still believes she is playing well enough to win. She said: “I
scrambled quite well. I'm happy with the position that I'm in. I'm
only in tied fifth position and that's nothing going into tomorrow.
Anything can happen on a Sunday in a major – or in this case, the
Olympics.”
Ariya
Jutanugarn of Thailand, the most recent major champion in women’s golf,
was forced to retire after 13 holes due to a knee injury.
Quotes of the Day – Round 3
Inbee Park 202 (66, 66, 70):
“I think having big names on the leaderboard can make everything a lot
more exciting and that can help women's golf grow a lot bigger. I'm very
happy what we are showing in the Olympic golf right now. It's really
exciting for everyone. Really exciting for me. Really exciting for all
the other players that are competing. Exciting for all the people who
are watching. Yeah, it's a great scenario.”
Lydia Ko 204 (69, 70, 65): “This
week has been great. Even without considering today, I think just this
experience, being here, representing New Zealand, seeing some of the
other athletes from New Zealand, I think that is an inspiration, and I
think that's what the Olympics is about. Obviously the results and the
medals are great, but at the end of the day, it's about the world's best
athletes together and having a great time and at the end, having to
compete to stand on the podium.”
Gerina Piller 204 (69, 67, 68): “I would say it's one of the biggest (rounds of her life),
yes. Playing the Solheim Cup is definitely dear to my heart and trying
to win that for the country. But I've never played in the final round
of an Olympics before, competing for a medal. It's going to be pretty
special. I'm going to soak it in all in, take it all in, and no matter
what the outcome, I'm proud to be American.”
Shanshan Feng 205 (70, 67. 68): “Back
in China, normally we are only on golf channels, but this time people
can see us on any (television) channels. I think that's a great chance
to let the Chinese know how good the Chinese players are, and hopefully
they can just fall in love with the sport and join this sport.”
Paula Reto 209 (74, 67, 68): “It (Olympic Games)
feels awesome. It's almost like you've got something above some
people. Just the experience, it's something you can't buy. It's
something you have to earn. We love the golf course. It’s great. For
us to play for the first time in a competition since it's been built -
that's awesome.”
Ariya Jutanugarn (WD due to knee injury): “Very disappointed, because it's the Olympics, and I told my caddie that
I wanted to finish four days. I don't care how many over I'm going
to be, but I'm thinking about my career.”
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Labels: OLYMPICS
