Sawt Falasteen - Ko grabs lead at LPGA FM Championship as Ryu stumbles

Ko's compatriot Ryu Hae-ran, whose stunning 10-under 62 on Friday had earned her a six stroke lead, had a nightmare round, shooting a six-over 78 and fell to four shots off the lead.

Ko made four birdies before the turn and although she suffered a setback with a bogey at the par-4 15th, she bounced back with birdies on the last two holes.

The 29-year-old Ko, a two-time major champion, has 15 career wins on the LPGA Tour and was the LPGA's Player of the Year in 2019 and 2021.

She is looking for her first win of 2024 however with her most recent victory coming at the Cognizant Founders Cup in May last year.

On the 12 occasions when Ko has led going into the final round of an LPGA event she has emerged as the winner nine times.

"I'm trying to be a very competitive person; that's why if I get in the lead, I think it's good motivation for me," said Ko.

"This golf course is not easy, so I think I need to focus myself and just repeat to myself, 'You can do it, you got this.' I'm looking forward for tomorrow," she added.

In-form American Lauren Coughlin shot a 3-under 69, making her the only player to shoot in the 60's in all three rounds, and sits just two shots behind Ko heading into the final round.

Coughlin, who made four birdies and a bogey, wasn't happy with her performance but after picking up her first two wins on the tour this year, with her second coming this month at the Scottish Open, she has a chance of making it three.

"But I'm not going to worry about that too much tomorrow. I'm definitely feeling a little tired, and so just trying to preserve as much energy as I have, which is all I can do. Focus on what I can control, which is me," she said.

A trio of players are three shots off the lead -- Spain's Carlota Ciganda, American Allisen Corpuz and Thailand's Atthaya Thitikul.

W.AbuLaban--SF-PST