Ko storms into medal contention

New Zealander Lydia Ko has stormed up the leaderboard in the third round of the Olympic golf tournament to a share of third.

Ko shot the second-best round of the day, turning in a bogey-free 5-under par 66. Daniela Darquea of Ecuador’s 6-under 65 moved her 21 places up the leaderboard into a tie for 25th.

She sits five shots off the lead held by American Nelly Korda, and two strokes shy of second-placed Aditi Ashok of India.

Ko shares the bronze medal spot heading into tomorrow’s final round with Australian Hannah Green, Emily Kristine Pedersen of Denmark and Japan’s Mone Inami.

Ko opened the tournament with a 1-under first round 70 for a share of 16th, then lifted in day two to card 4-under 67, despite bogeying the last two holes.

Rio silver medallist Lydia Ko is a strong medal chance again in Tokyo.
Photo: AFP

Ranked 11th in the world, the 24-year-old New Zealander started her third round slowly with just the one birdie in her first nine holes, but closed the round out with four birdies over the back nine.

However, a tropical storm is forecasted to hit the eastern coast of Japan on Saturday during the scheduled final round, bringing with it scattered thunderstorms and a 70 percent chance of rain.

The forecast calls for the storm to linger on Sunday, with 100 percent chance of rain as well as sustained winds of 50km/h.

Organisers have brought forward the start time to 9.30am (New Zealand time). They have told players that it may be possible to wrap up the event on Sunday.

If this isn’t possible because of more bad weather, the scores after 54 holes will decide the placements.