Golf: Double bogey costs Lydia Ko in third round at Chevron Championship

Lydia Ko during the LPGA Chevron Championship. Photo / AP

Three dropped shots in three holes looks to have derailed Lydia Ko's hopes of a third golf major title as American Jennifer Kupcho took a commanding lead into the final day of the Chevron Championship.

Ko started to move up the leaderboard as she picked off the par fives in the third round of the opening major of the LPGA season. The world No 3 moved into a share of fifth spot through 12 holes after four birdies took her to seven-under for the tournament.

However a double-bogey five at the par three 14th followed by a bogey two holes later saw Ko drop back in the pack.

She eventually carded a 70 to sit in a share of 11th place, 11 shots behind Kupcho who blitzed the Rancho Mirage course in California.

The American shot an eight-under 64 to take a six-shot lead into the final day, with Thailand's Patty Tavatanakit (-10) and Jessica Korda (-9) her main threats to deny the 24-year-old her maiden major title.

Starting the day in a share of 20th at three-under, Ko looked to have shaken off the cobwebs from the back nine of her second round which included three bogeys.

She picked up birdies on the two par fives on the front nine and another at the par five 11th along with a fourth birdie at the 12th to move to seven-under and the top five - three shots from the leaders.

But her round wobbled with a double at the 14th and a bogey two holes later. Ko finished with a birdie at the 18th to be four-under across the par fives today.

Kupcho, meanwhile, started fast and kept on going.

"Everything was working," Kupcho said. "I mean, seriously, this week I think my putting is definitely the props. I have putted really well and you got to make putts in a major championship."

Kupcho moved into position to win for the first time on the LPGA Tour by birdieing eight of the first 12 holes in mostly calm conditions.

"Honestly, it's all a blur," Kupcho said. "I hit the fairways, hit the greens and really was just trying to put smooth putting strokes on them. That's what I did, and they fell."

As second-round leader Hinako Shibuno had a 77 to drop 12 strokes back, Kupcho flew past her, breaking the 54-hole record of 14-under set by Pernilla Lindberg in 2018 and matched by Tavatanakit last year. Dottie Pepper set the 72-hole mark of 19-under 269 in 1999.

Kupcho also matched her lowest tour score, hitting all but one fairway and three greens in regulation on the tree-lined layout.

"It's really special, just to be out here," Kupcho said. "I love this place. You just get positive vibes. It's such a beautiful course, so I think just taking it all in. But then again, just once it's time to hit a shot, focusing on that shot."

- With AP