Golf: Ko defies conditions to move into top 20

New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko. Photo /

New Zealand teenage golfer Lydia Ko got the better of the wind, the rain and Karrie Webb to move into the top 20 going into tomorrow's final round of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Ko fired a one-under par 72 on a challenging day on the demanding Royal Melbourne course, where only 10 players fired in red figures.

The 14-year-old world No 1 amateur is on three-over par after three rounds to have a share of 18th place, sitting seven shots behind leader Jessica Korda of the United States.

She takes a one shot lead into the final round ahead of overnight leader So Yeon Ryu, fellow Korean Hee Kyung Seo and Australia's Nikki Campbell.

Ko climbed 14 places after an excellent performance in strong winds and squally rain at the famous sand belt course that was still lightning quick around the greens.

Along the way, she managed to outscore her playing partner and seven-time major winner Karrie Webb. The Australian great, who has 52 career wins to her name, could only manage a two-over par 75 in the tough conditions.

"It was playing hard here in any case but the winds were tough and came from a completely different direction today," Ko's coach Guy Wilson said.

"Yesterday Lydia hit a driver and eight iron into the 18th but today it was a driver and three-wood and she was still short."

He said the key today was accuracy and patience, particularly on the more challenging front nine.

"Lydia was outstanding. She hit all nine greens going out. She made two birdies and was unlucky with a couple of others."

Wilson said Ko was tired after her fourth tournament in a row and was looking forward to recharging the batteries for next week's New Zealand Open at Pegasus near Christchurch.