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Ko a stroke clear in Vancouver

Published: 2:12PM Sunday August 26, 2012 Source: ONE Sport

World No.1 amateur Lydia Ko is once again on the cusp of history.

The 15-year-old, who is the youngest winner of a professional tournament, is looking to become the first New Zealander and the youngest player to win on the LPGA Tour.

She carded an even par 72 in todays third round at the Vancouver Golf Club to remain on an eight under par total and hold a one shot lead heading into the final round over four players American pro Stacey Lewis (66) and South Koreans Jiyai Shin (69), Chella Choi (73) and Inbee Park (70).  

Story continues below...

It's good to stay at the top of the leaderboard, but my first goal was to make the cut and hopefully top 15 or something, said the Korean-born Kiwi who plays at the Gulf Harbour Country Club.

But to be up there is just an honour, especially playing against the world's best.

Fifteen-year-olds don't lead at an LPGA event all the time.  But like I said, I'm very surprised.  But I've been playing really good golf and I've been really confident with my game.

Ko, the only amateur to make the cut, is looking to surpass the feats of American heroine Lexi Thompson who is the youngest LPGA Tour winner after she won the Navistar LPGA Classic last September aged 16.

She is also attempting to become only the fifth amateur to win on the LPGA Tour and first since JoAnne Carner in the 1969 Burdine's Invitational. Ko became the the US Women's Amateur two weeks ago.

Ko showed no early signs of nerves being in the leading group with a birdie at the opening hole.

She added another birdie at the par four sixth to get to 10 under par. She made bogeys on the seventh and ninth hole to make the turn in even par.

She responded with a birdie at the 10th and then added seven straight pars before making a five foot putt for bogey on the 18th after her par attempt from four feet lipped out.

All three of her bogeys were a result of three putting from around 15m. She went to the practice round after her media duties to put in some work on the greens.

I wasn't putting that great today, but I don't think I putted horrible either.

"Hopefully, they'll drop tomorrow. You can't play perfect golf.  And just going to do some practice, but don't overdo it. 

"The sun is getting to them and it's hotter than any other day.

She admitted to having some nerves with many of the best players in the world chasing her down on moving day.

I know they're all great players, so the rankings are like Top Five in the world, and Stacy Lewis is second in the world just trailing behind Yani [Tseng].  I played with Stacy and I know she's a great player.

It's quite nerve-racking, but I'm really here for experience and fun, and I'm having fun at the moment.  If I don't win tomorrow, I don't think I'll be disappointed.  If I do win, I'll take it like an honour.

Focusing on her own game

Ko said she will try to play the final round the same as she has so far by focusing on her own game.

I can't concentrate on what the other players are doing.  If they shoot 66 and I shoot 68 and I lose, I can't control what they do.  So I'm just going to play my game and have one shot at a time.

She was quizzed by the international media time and time again about her great composure out on course and how she is handling the pressure of leading a LPGA Tour event for the first time.

If I make a bogey or three-putt on something like inside I'm like on fire.  But it's not like you're going to play any better by slamming your club or getting angry.  So might as well just keep it in. 

"People say I'm pretty calm, but I do make mistakes and I do get angry, but I try and not show it.

The biggest pressure is me being World No. 1 amateur and people are expecting things.  The next thing is just playing against the big names, it's really hard to keep up with them.

Pressure is one of the biggest things I try to handle.  But it's not like I get a lot of pressure.  It doesn't throw me off.

She has shown she can handle pressure on a number of occasions in 2012.

In January, Ko made international headlines when she won the New South Wales Open in Australia at 14 to become the youngest player to win a professional tour event.

Just two weeks ago she was the first New Zealand player to win the US Amateur and the second youngest in history.

Tomorrow shell look to become the first Kiwi golfer to win on the LPGA Tour.

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