This story was originally published by Dead Spin
Switzerland’s Morgane Metraux rolled in a 15-foot eagle putt on the 18th on Friday to maintain a share of the lead entering the final round of the women’s Olympic golf tournament at Le Golf National south of Paris.
Metraux and Lydia Ko of New Zealand are tied at 9 under through three rounds but a suddenly stacked leaderboard includes Tokyo gold medalist and World No. 1 Nelly Korda and American Rose Zhang in contender positions.
If recent history holds, Ko and Metraux are golden entering the final 18. South Korea’s Inbee Park was the 54-hole leader when she claimed the gold medal in Rio in 2016, and Korda led after three rounds in Tokyo.
Metraux also led in Paris after 36 holes. She navigated a tumultuous third round with stronger winds than previous days before getting the final putt, downhill with Ko standing by for her short par tap-in, in the cup at 18.
Ko countered two bogeys with six birdies in Friday’s round of 68.
“I know I have a couple medals under my belt. I think it takes a little bit of pressure off,” said Ko, who took silver in Rio and bronze in Tokyo. “I’m sure tomorrow there’s going to be the pressure, the adrenaline. No matter what happens tomorrow, I’m excited to be in those positions.”
It was a furious finish on Friday, with Zhang fighting back from an inexplicably short wedge into the water on 15 to close with an eagle and third-round 67. Zhang and Japan’s Miyu Yamashita are tied at 7 under for the tournament.
Korda is still looking for her first sub-70 round in Paris and sits five back of the leaders.
“Everyone is just going to go for it. There’s nothing to lose. Everyone is going to shoot at pins. Happy with the way I played and happy with the position I’m in going to the last day,” Korda said exiting the course Friday.
France’s Celine Boutier is even with Korda for the tournament and isn’t out of it. She recovered from a disastrour 76 in the second round, relinquishing the 18-hole lead, with a 70 on Friday.
–Reuters, Special to Field Level Media
