Ko Ji-woo (24, Samchully) held the lead throughout all three days of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf (KLPGA) Tour High1 Resort Women's Open. She has solidified a runaway performance with her fourth career victory within reach.
Ko shot a 9-under-par 64 in the third round held at High1 Country Club (par 73) in Jeongseon, Gangwon, on the 11th, recording one eagle, eight birdies and one bogey. Her intermediate total stood at 24-under-par 195. She pulled 8 strokes clear of Kim Min-ju (24), Jeon Ye-seong (25, both Samchully) and Seo Eo-jin (25, Daebo Construction), who were tied for second at 16-under-par.
Ko had cut 15 strokes through the second round, showcasing top-level shot accuracy. Starting on a positive note with an eagle on the 2nd hole (par 4), Ko recorded three consecutive birdies from the 4th hole (par 5) to cement her position at the top.
She then heightened her momentum with back-to-back birdies on the 10th hole (par 4) and 11th hole (par 5). Although she made a bogey on the 12th hole (par 4), she immediately made up for the mistake with a birdie on the 13th hole (par 4). Ko also shaved off one stroke each on the 15th hole (par 5) and 18th hole (par 5), widening the gap with the group tied for second.
Ko, who debuted in 2022, has recorded three career victories, winning once each year since 2023. With this tournament, she is aiming for her first win of the year and her fourth career victory. It is also her chance to defend a title for the first time in two years, following 2024.
Meanwhile, Sung Yu-jin (26, Daebang Construction), who returned to the domestic circuit last year after playing on the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf (LPGA) Tour in the 2024 season, stayed at a tie for seventh at 13-under-par 206. Park Hyun-kyung (26, Medihill), who won the Earth Mondamin Cup on the Japan Ladies Professional Golf (JLPGA) Tour last month, was tied for 11th with Im Hee-jung (26, Doosan Construction) at 5-under-par. Kim Min-sol (20, Doosan Construction), the "super rookie" with three wins this season, and defending champion Bang Shin-sil (22, KB Financial Group) settled for a tie for 48th at 5-under-par 214.
