The women’s golf competition at the Olympics in Paris has become a thrilling contest focused on the third round, with Lydia Ko of New Zealand and Morgane Metraux of Switzerland sharing the top spot. Both athletes finished the third round tied at 9 under par after 54 holes, setting the stage for an intense final push.
Lydia Ko, a two-time major winner with a silver medal from Rio 2016 and a bronze from Tokyo 2020 to her name, demonstrated her formidable skills once again. Ko’s third round was a mix of highs and lows. She started strong, balancing three birdies against a single bogey at the 7th hole. A birdie at the 10th was immediately countered by a bogey at the 12th, but a resilient birdie on the 17th handed her a two-shot lead before the final hole. Despite the fluctuations, Ko’s experience and composure have kept her firmly in contention.
Morgane Metraux, meanwhile, matched Ko’s score with some standout moments of her own. Her round was highlighted by a crucial eagle at the par-five 18th, closing with a 1-under 71. This followed an impressive 6-under 66 in the previous round, notable particularly for a scorching front-nine score of 28. Metraux had to navigate through a difficult stretch between holes 10-13, where she carded three bogeys, but her fortitude saw her regain and maintain a share of the lead.
Adding further competition to the mix are Rose Zhang from the USA and Miyu Yamashita from Japan, both just two strokes behind the leaders. Zhang showcased an electrifying third round with a score of 67, including eagles at the 14th and 18th holes, though a double bogey at the 15th dimmed her charge slightly. Yamashita’s consistent, bogey-free 68 kept her well within striking distance.
Brooke Henderson of Canada also had a noteworthy performance, shooting one of only two bogey-free rounds on Friday, carding a 67. This brought her to 2-under for the competition, as she looks to climb the leaderboard in the final stages.
Defending gold medalist Nelly Korda remains in contention, sitting in a four-way tie at 7 under after a 70 in the third round. Sharing this position is France’s own Celine Boutier, China’s Xiyu Lin and Ruoning Yin, all of whom are vying for a podium finish.
Hannah Green of Australia turned in the best round of the day with a superb 6-under 66, featuring seven birdies and an eagle at the par-4 17th, propelling her into a tie for 11th place.
From Team GB, Georgia Hall and Charley Hull are aiming to improve their positions. Hall, currently tied for 27th, shot a 71, while Hull, tied for 36th, carded a 69.
With a tightly packed leaderboard and a host of accomplished golfers in close pursuit, the final round promises to deliver high drama and exceptional play. The stakes are high as these elite athletes vie for Olympic glory in Paris, making it a must-watch event for golf enthusiasts worldwide.
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