Inbee Park takes one-stroke lead at Kia Classic
Inbee Park of South Korea shot a 5-under-par round of 67 for the second consecutive day on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead atop a decorated leaderboard through three rounds of the Kia Classic in Carlsbad, Calif.
The world's eighth-ranked player, Park sits at 14-under 202 for the tournament.
Nasa Hataoka of Japan (No. 7 in the world) is one stroke back, while world No. 1 Sung Hyun Park of South Korea is tied with countrywoman Mi Jung Hur for fourth at 11 under. Thailand's Thidapa Suwannapura, who shared the lead with Sung Hyun Park after two rounds, is alone in third at 12 under.
Three players are tied for sixth at 10 under, with three more -- including world No. 15 Lydia Ko of New Zealand -- at nine under.
Inbee Park birdied four of her first seven holes, though bogeys at Nos. 3 and 8 left her at 2 under for the day at the turn. On a bogey-free back nine, she added three birdies, including two in the last three holes to take the lead.
"Key to my round today was I think just a combination of consistency and the putting," Park said after she finished. "I holed some good putts, especially on the back nine."
Hataoka scorched a bogey-free round of 8-under 64, posting five birdies in her first eight holes and eight total on the day.
That would have been enough for the low round of the tournament if not for Hur, who blistered a 10-under 62 to set a tournament record. After making the turn at 3 under, Hur birdied seven holes in a row from No. 11 to No. 17.
"I got a goose bump," she said afterward. "So excited playing the back nine. Had great shot and great putt and made seven birdies in a row. I had another chance on 18, but I missed it."
Suwannapura bogeyed her first hole before managing four birdies against one bogey the rest of the day, shooting 70.
Sung Hyun Park had an erratic day, starting 4 over through six holes with a double bogey and two bogeys before settling in, with six birdies in a 10-hole span and a then bogey at No. 18.
Defending champion Eun-Hee Ji shot 74 to fall into a tie for 35th at 3 under.
--Field Level Media
