Lydia Ko 2023 Aramco Saudi Round 3

All Shots and Interview from Lydia Ko 2023 Aramco Saudi Round 3

But Lydia Co, wow, what a name to have on the front page of the leaderboard. 25 times she has won in her career, only 25 years old. And you can see why. The putter has behaved very well for the world number one. That was the first birdie for her today. That wind totally the opposite. And it’s not as strong by any stretch of the imagination as it was yesterday afternoon. to land a little co is going to try and float one from left to right. There is a down slope between the flag and the front edge of the green. So keep it left of it. Try and cut one into this front right flag. I mean, I know it’s only five holes in, but given what we’re seeing on the leaderboard, quiet start from Lydia Co despite that birdie at the last hole. You got a DTS shock and you feel that’s going to get better and better with her supreme form. But playing with this player, the world number one, Lilia Vu, world number 39. So, you know, it’s a tremendous opportunity. I was going to say I’m not sure that Aditti will be intimidated. No, this not the first time she’s played with Litico. If you remember the Olympics at Tokyo, she played in the final round with Nelly Corder and uh with Lydia as well. She was out driven by 40 50 yards on every single hole, but she outputed them big style. Single putted those first nine greens. In the end though, Nelly took gold, Lydia took silver, and she was just pipped to the bronze medal was our tournament leader. This is going to be fascinating to see what happens today and and also Lydia is such a lovely player to play with. She doesn’t bring intimidation. Her golf just does the talking. Kate, everyone was talking before the tournament started how the fringes here are so pure. So, no surprise, I suppose, to see the putter out for Lydia Co. No, definitely not. No, not like Asia where they’re going to head to next week on the LPGA tour. won’t be able to do that on those courses, but lovely and smooth. You can see though the slope. It’s going to move from her right to left. The question is how much. Yeah, the camera angle force shortens out a little. That’s not dead yet from Lydia Coat. You saw how much that putt moved on the way past. So, a little slippery left to right. Often with the putting, it’s it’s the shot that marks the score down at the end of the round. It’s that pressure one. I’ve hit a good shot into 10 feet. I must take advantage of it. There’s an expectation on hole in it and players can get tense over it and miss some puts. Whereas she always looks in a state of flow. Yeah, very, as I say, lucky, fortunate person to to have those feels. Ash Buhai yesterday was was almost suggesting that you’re just born with it. It’s hard to teach. Little tester here to avoid a drop shot for Lydia Co. [Applause] Nicely done. Just grabs the right edge. First event as a married lady. She seems very happy, doesn’t she? When we’ve caught up with her in the clubhouse and throughout the week, she’s so approachable for a player who’s had as much success as she has from an over the weekend. That’s what everybody wants. Bunker down the left is in play at 230 yards. See Lydia looking down that right hand side. Was she into Q series? It’s not like she was some kind of rookie that you know was wet between the ears. have already won five times back home in Korea. This player won in Korea towards the end of last season BMW Ladies Championship for Lydia Co. And that’s why when that putter is hot, she can be unbeatable. We’re in for a great battle, I think, this weekend. Some low scores out there. Stacked leaderboard. Some class players. Huge prize fund. $5 million to be shared out between the 63 players who made the cut. The world number one had eight birdies in a row on this golf course. We’ve had a couple of 63s. Kelly matched that as well in the Aramco Team Series event a couple of years ago. So if you’re currently 78 under part and you can get round in 63, you will not be far behind the leaders I think at the end of this third round. And it’s how well you adjust from yesterday afternoon. It’s so windy and now today it’s a birdie fest. You were hanging on yesterday afternoon. [Music] New Caddy on the back for 2023 for Lydia Co. David Jones there you saw who has actually cattied for Lydia once before and they won in Hawaii. So it’s a pretty good record so far. This is the perfect eight iron for Lydia Co. 144 yds. Come on. It might try and roll back down and it does. This is going to get better for Co. It’s just in her range. Range is good. It’s further than that. Apologies for a little bit of break up in our you know a lot of the girls are going to university whereas Lydia just you know make hay while the sun shines like Paula Kremer not choosing to go to university get out into the professional game is to get within one [Music] and another and another. Here she comes. A little slow to get out of the blocks, but Lydia Co with a couple of birdies on the card now. Three in the last four. Half five to come. She birded that ninth hole yesterday. Now Lydia isn’t the longest player, so this would be two big hits for co to get home on this par five ninth. Winter date slightly down from the left. Hearded it both days by playing it as a three shooter. just looking so solid, so comfortable, very happy with life. [Music] So, the second player to play can see that great drive from Lilia Vu, longest player in the field in this in this group, I should say. 220 yards to the front edge. Cracking angle here. Try and catch the down slope. Skip it on. [Music] She was a She actually, you know, she talked about some of the jobs she was doing. She actually worked for a little while as a tennis coach as well. I’m going to hunt her down after this. Off the UPS slope. That is going to help Co here cuz she is landing on the down slope. So, needs as much height as possible for it to come down softly, gather towards this pin placement. These three just looks five players in the world’s top 15 in the top nine. I mean, that’s how much of a quality we’ve got. Charlie Hull is just outside the top 10. Lydia Co right at the summit as far as those Rolex rankings are concerned. Yeah, it’s very exciting, isn’t it? This weekend ahead here in Saudi Arabia, it is loaded everywhere you look with star power to tie the lead on the spine here. Tough read. Oh, what a run she’s putting together. Lydia Co. Four birdies in five holes to end the front nine and a 15 under par. She is back at the top. Fairway at 277 yds out. So for the longer players that is certainly going to be, you know, a factor. Ball is on a string for code today. And feed back down. That’s okay. I’m feeling into it now. I can see those spots. what she’s been through over the last few years. Three years ago, she was 55 in the world, missing cuts. That ball below her feet is not going to help to try and get to this left flag. She’s going to have to take on the bunker. 29 yards. Needs to fly it all the way to try and get it onto the back tier. There is a back stop helping also. Wow, that is sublime. Didn’t have the angle. Ball below her feet. How do you get it to stop that fast? Tell me, Lydia Co. overtake the Indian. The simplest of birdie puts to make it four in a row. left below right because it’s inside that 10 ft range. The world number one goes to number one on the leaderboard. What a run from Lydia Co. the 2021 champion gets to 16 under par. She’s making it look very easy. She looks supreme. 126 yards in between clubs here for Lydia Co. [Music] Well, no sign of any let up. She’s in that state of flow. [Music] Nice grip statement on the last screen. Lydia Vu went first. Miss Lydia Co made this time. It’s Co to go with the first attempt to make birdie. Be five on the bounce for co should this go in. Right hand below left. She’s switched the grips. should have gone left hand low. Well, this is her seventh trip competitively around Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, the seventh round. She’s currently 39 under par for those just over six and a half rounds. That’s a decent pace to be setting. She shot a 63 in the third round on her way to winning in 2021. Might be thinking something similar around that kind of number the way she’s going today. Always wondered what she does with all those tees that she puts in her hair. See a number of players do that. They all fall out in the shower when you get back in the evening going, “Look at that swing. I’m so jealous. I’m all for that. Learning from the greats of the game. Is that a new move that she has that little clock up like that before she hits? No. Something that we’ve seen throughout the the last year. It’s just to stop getting it on the inside. Lots of players work on that that width in the takeaway and getting too shallow on the way down. Hannah Burke was saying it’s the fifth wave off the left. Bring it back round to the green. So difficult. Bend down going at that flag. [Music] Not if you want to grip it a bit. Uh this is going to send it up. We just get one last check of the wind being across. Yeah. With the grass being against you, it’s not on you. Come in. Just need to be worried about the false front which guards this flag. There is a ridge beyond that you can use. So long is good here on 12. just so in control of her game. It’s uh just wonderful to watch. Yeah, that wasn’t sitting that was sitting down as well that ball. So be [Music] tends to read the greens by herself. Lydia Co has normally used aim point has served her very well. Haven’t seen her using that so much this week. She’s play more instinctively, but whatever she’s doing is working incredibly well, the leader. And to extend her lead, [Music] she is human. You might think she’s a a little un good cook seeing as she hasn’t played competitively since the CME Tour Championship which she won. Went on honeymoon after getting married, but she did play eight rounds of golf apparently on honeymoon. Driver on the 13th playing 494 yds. Slightly into the breeze now for co. Bunker on the left at 280 yds. Water down the right hand side. Not one of the longest T-shots. So certainly won’t be going for this into. She won’t even be aware if that is dry or not. The rookies are like born in 2005 and I’m like, well, you’re only 24. Imagine how I feel. Exactly. I know the feeling, too. Just laid up to her number here. Just trying to pitch on in to this back right flag. So disciplined with these wedges. [Music] It’s probably the first time we’ve seen her hit something which she wasn’t too happy with. Caught a lot of ground there. You can see the cailed follow through. She normally lays up to that 78 yards and just flicks even though it was out of the top 300. I think the lowest ranked player that came in through that category was 170th uh in the world. And it’s only the first year that we’ve done this. So I expect that this field will get stronger and stronger years to come. I mean, it seems like an obvious question, but what has the feedback been like so far this week to you from the players? Oh, it’s been really good. I think that, you know, the the is a great golf course. Um, it’s in great condition. Um, you know, it goes beyond just the price fund. It’s how the players feel that they’re being taken care of, the, you know, player facilities are incredible. Players lounge, the the food, um, all of those elements are all there. So, it definitely feels like a very special week. Yeah, I think that’s the case as Lydia Co taps in here for her part at this par five. I think it’s the case for all the Aramco events that we’ve been at, whether it’s been in New York or whether it’s been in sort of grande. The setting and the staging of the events feel like big tournaments. Yeah, they’ve definitely Yeah, the commitment goes of the leaderboard. We move off to the 14th with the final trio dog leg from left to right. 215 yds to carry the bunker that we see in vision. Have you played this golf course, Alex? No, I don’t uh play anymore. I I’d like to watch it obviously, but uh yeah, um it would be too hard to try and get out there. I’d probably break break in half at this stage because it’s become a familiar. But when she is in full flow, it is something to be seen. Let’s hope we can get that on Sunday as well. Let’s go here with the 50° wedge front. Have to land this just short of it. You know, we just gone from Lexi to Lydia. So good that we can just say their first names. We know who we’re talking about. How important are events like this maybe to inspire young girls, people that want to get into the game? I mean, they’re hugely important, I think. Um, you So, we got Race to Costel Soul winners up there. Dy the number one right now. Ty Titkin and Emily Pison. Hello. [Laughter] Four birdies in a row for Lydia Co. and that was how close it was. Nearly a two-stroke lead for the Kiwi. Thank you. It’s amazing how things build and it’s if I’m right in saying I mean the link up with Aramco and having the team series was born out of the COVID pandemic and the need to and just kind of stay in contention and birdies will come if you stay patient. Yeah, it’s so true. So it’s easier said than done, is it? Because the perspective is that she was leading by two and now she’s trading by two. I know how busy you are this week. So, real pleasure for us to have you join us in the commentary box. Hopefully, we can do it again sometime as well. It’s been good fun. Yeah, we’d love to. Thank you so much. Have a great afternoon. Alexandra Armas, the speak to the sponsors, engage with fans. Comb hit it down the right hand side here yesterday. I think she will try and turn one over a touch more. The crane in the distance is a good line. Whereas yesterday you were trying to hit a penetrating ball flight, maybe lean into the strike, this afternoon just put your normal swing on it. Another golf tournament in regulation. I can’t think of one since we’ve watched her today. Liia. That’s the first sort of short game test for her coming up. Weight on the back of the club there. That’s just to increase the launch of these irons for co. Eight iron for Lydia. Keep it left hand side. Catch the slope. try to ease that one from left to right and close the club face. Long left for our joint leader. So trouble I suppose for the the two co-leaders. Both missing the green here on the 15th. She’s the ultimate co-leader, isn’t she? The tumble weed rolls past in the commentary box. Get to that low point. you appreciate the good stuff so much more. She does look accomplished. Look at Co aiming well away from the flag using this bank. We expect that from Lydia Co. Brilliant shot as well. Routine for her though. There’s a lack of stress on all three of these players faces really, but especially Co. It’s the energy that she saves physically by not worrying about stuff mentally. I mean, that’s that’s what it appears like. It’s like, oh, I’ve missed a ideal for low scoring. Lexi was in good spirits. I should hope so. After a 63, you’d be a bit upset if she was disappointed with a 63, a nine under, vaultting her way up the leaderboard. Wow, what a weekend we’ve got. Just to tidy up for Lydia Co. went bogey free on Thursday in that 64. Bogey free as well so far today. [Applause] Three times she won on the LPGA tour last season. and she won the player of the year, the V or the women’s version of these Aramco Saudi ladies international, Saudi International. It’s going to be on a day like today. Normally you have to aim into the Red Sea to try and get this one at the flag. [Music] Not bad. Pin high forco. Good chance of a birdie the way she’s been putting this week. Feels very confident with the flat stick. And it’s around today so far of five under. Super consistent. She came a light on the front line as she made her way to seven, eight, and nine. And around the turn collected four birdies. It’s been a string of paws since then for that short right bunker. That’s a 80 yd pitch. Yeah, that was tough. And that was a great shot right to left here for Lydia just outside the hole. Looking good. Let offs again. Ashock is just holding on to the coattails. You think of how many birdies we saw on the front nine. Mine’s really slowed down on the backside. Only three birdies for this three ball. Should be no more than wedge in hand for 17 and 18 though. So there are couple of opportunities left. But what it does mean the fact that the VU and co haven’t been able to push on. It’s brought a lot more players into contention. You know Charlie Har’s just finished with a 65. She’s 11 under par. We’ve been talking about Lexi Thompson and and Georgia Halls at 11 under par as well. Those players are still very much in the mix as a result of Vu and Co. not getting that glut of birdies on this back nine. Totally agree. I mean, five driver in hand for Lydia. Wind barely down from the right hand side. This whole 389 yards straight, but there’s bunkers down the right. from the second cup here. It’s all on the bounce. should release from that semi- rough. She’s planned that so well and executed it even better. playing well enough to get a birdie back and she’s proved it just there. Well, since her win here 14 months ago, Lydia Co, three wins on the LPGA tour. this to assume the outright lead once again back down the slope. Keep this at least on the left edge of the cup. She goes left hand below low for this left hand below right, sorry. for these short distance putts. It’s all about keeping that blade square to target. Beautiful three. Lydia Co moves to 17 under part. Her first birdie since the 10th couldn’t look any easier this round of six under final round tomorrow. Well, Ash Bluhigh said that this hole, the second shot, you’ve got to hit a golf shot. And Emily Pedison’s looking over at Caddy thinking, I did just that. So, back to the tea. Lydia will play down the left hand side trying to avoid the bunkers. Start at 255. A little mistake. Don’t think that was actually in the bunker. She’s hardly Well, they did go in the bunker in the end from Lydia Co. So lay up for her as well. [Applause] game as you say, not even the odd bogey here and there derailing her. You’d expect more of the same from Lydia Co. Pitching wedge for co. Same shot required. Didn’t catch it. just leaked that face open ever so slight. Shooting the lights out. She just shot 65. 65 and it’s but well Lydia’s going to do something similar and it’s just seems like a cruisy Saturday afternoon. Well, Lydia Co this to get herself back into a share of the lead. Just needs to breathe on this one from left to right. [Music] Well, that’s a a little turn up for the books, isn’t it? We came to this 18th hole assuming Lydia Co would be leading going into the final round, and that will not be the case. And it just shows the longer hitters what can be done. They’re just going to be hoping. I think Charlie will hope it’s calm. Georgia Hall will be hoping it’s windy. Well, as far as the golf’s concerned, the final word will come from the world number one. [Music] Well, it’s been an excellent round 66 from Lydia Cope. She might be trailing by one. I still think most would make her the favorite though to lift this trophy for a second time. I’d have to agree with you. Has been the standout over the end of last season and the beginning of this season. Vu yet to win on the LPGA or the Ladies European tour. I think she’ll be happy with saying, “Okay, Lydia, you be the favorite. You’re used to that.” The way she’s hold that eagle put on the lash. just wants to go about her business. David Jones while you were signing your scorecard and he goes, “She’s just got magic feet and magic hands. They were very, very good today.” And I talk about the feet because you were brilliant at, you know, feeling the parts and hauling plenty of them. Yeah. Um, I actually hit the ball really well my first few holes and I set myself for a lot of birdie opportunities within 15 ft and it was as if I was putting a good stroke and the hole wasn’t there. Um, but to see my uh birdie putt go in on five was definitely a big sigh of relief. uh just cuz you know you’re playing well and you know you’re trying to stay patient but your other playing opponents are making a lot of birdies so you’re trying to be on that same same momentum but I was able to stay really patient and know made a string of birdies uh around the turn and um know I don’t think my uh long game was as uh good in the in the back nine but I was still able to scramble my way around and you know it was a good birdie on 17 to end the day. Yeah it certainly was. So, you’re right in contention once again and uh playing alongside Lilia Vu who’s a you know an up and cominging player from the States. You got to be impressed by her performance as well. Yeah, I we played for the first time like on tour at the Scottish Open last year and um I just really liked how she went about her business um you know really fast uh and um really aggressive when it comes to play. So yeah, that’s kind of um something that I’m trying to work on to be a little bit more aggressive and you know, just commit to my shots and and just let it rip. Um and that kind of seems like the way she plays. Uh so yeah, it’s it was fun to play alongside her and and the DT. Um and I don’t know who I’m playing with tomorrow. Uh but I I think it’s going to be a great um showdown and especially if the wind is not as breezy as yesterday afternoon. I think, you know, I don’t know how many shots Beck is actually back cuz you you could possibly make a stretch of birdies and just put yourself up there. You’re going to be playing with Emily Pettison and Lilia VU tomorrow. So, it’s going to be a fantastic three ball. Do you know how many professional events you’ve won? I have no idea. No idea. Zero 25. And a win tomorrow would be 26. I mean, when you think you’re only 25 years old, 19 wins on the LPGA tour. Um, that’s quite some record. I know my passport says 25, but sometimes I look in the mirror and I question myself if I look 25 and then sometimes I don’t feel 25. Um, but it’s already my 10th year on tour. Um, you know, time has flown by uh in in a good way. Um, and I’m very grateful about the opportunities that I was uh able to get even as an amateur. you know, playing the Canadian Women’s Open, playing some of uh you know, the tournaments in Australia as an amateur. So, I think all of those um I think opportunities and sponsor invites was able to make my rookie year a little bit um easier and that transition a lot smoother. So, uh you know, I’m I’m don’t think I could have uh asked for anything more. Obviously, while I’m playing, I want to keep reaching high, keep try and keep playing the best golf I can. Uh, but enjoy it. I know we’re all going to have good days and bad days, but when things are going well, you do try and feed off that good momentum. Well, we wish you all the very best tomorrow. It’s going to be a cracker of a final round. Good luck. Thank you. Yeah, lovely to hear from the dear