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Ko takes lead at LPGA opener, closes in on golf history

Lydia Ko,right, of New Zealand, talks with her caddie on the 18th hole during the second round of the LPGA's Coates Golf Championship, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, in Ocala, Fla. (AP Photo/The Star-Banner, Bruce Ackerman)
Lydia Ko,right, of New Zealand, talks with her caddie on the 18th hole during the second round of the LPGA's Coates Golf Championship, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, in Ocala, Fla. (AP Photo/The Star-Banner, Bruce Ackerman) Lydia Ko,right, of New Zealand, talks with her caddie on the 18th hole during the second round of the LPGA's Coates Golf Championship, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, in Ocala, Fla. (AP Photo/The Star-Banner, Bruce Ackerman)

By Associated Press 4 min read

OCALA, Fla. (AP) – Lydia Ko is one round from potentially making golf history.

The 17-year-old New Zealander birdied five consecutive holes and shot a 7-under 65 in the third round of the Coates Golf Championship on Friday to take the outright lead in the LPGA Tour’s season opener.

If she hangs on Saturday, she would become the youngest golfer – male or female – to be ranked No. 1 in the World Golf Rankings.

“I really haven’t thought about it,” Ko said. “Like I’ve always said, the rankings come after the results in each tournament. It would be great and it would be a huge honor to be in that position, but we’ve still got another long, 18 holes to go, and you never know what’s going to happen in those holes.”

Second-round leader Ha Na Jang was a stroke back at 13-under 203 after a 1-under 71 Friday. Fellow South Korean Na Yeon Choi shot a 6-under 66 and was two back at 12 under.