SINGAPORE: Lydia Ko shot a 4-under 68 Saturday to move from one stroke behind to one stroke in front after three rounds of the LPGA’s HSBC Women’s World Championship.
The 27-year-old South Korean-born New Zealander had a 54-hole total of 10-under 206 on the Tanjong course at Sentosa Golf Club.
Charley Hull, who birdied two of her first four holes, was a stroke behind in second after a 68. Jeeno Thitikul, who had four back-nine birdies for a 66, had the best round of the day to move into third place, three strokes behind Ko.
A Lim Kim, who led after the first two rounds, moved in the wrong direction with a 73 and was tied for fourth place, four strokes off the lead. Defending champion Hannah Green had a 67 to move 16 places up the leaderboard and was five behind Ko.
Ko had three bogeys with seven birdies, including four on her back nine.
“I made a few mistakes but I was able to bounce back with a few good birdies as well,” said the former world No. 1. “It really doesn’t matter what the context is, as long as you can put a good score, and under the circumstances, I felt like I playing really solid. So hopefully these past few days will give me good rhythm for tomorrow.”
Ko is chasing her 23rd LPGA title and looking to finally break through in Singapore in 11 appearances. Her best result at the tournament was a runner-up finish in 2015.
Hull is seeking to win her third LPGA tournament.
“My mindset is going to be no different from literally the last three days,” Hull said. “Just go out there, play golf, hole some putts and have fun.”
The Singapore tournament is the second of three events on the LPGA’s first Asian swing of the year. The final event will be played next week at Hainan Island, China.
Lydia Ko takes third-round lead at LPGA Singapore, Charley Hull is one stroke behind
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Lydia Ko takes third-round lead at LPGA Singapore, Charley Hull is one stroke behind
- Lydia Ko shot a 4-under 68 to move from one stroke behind to one stroke in front after three rounds of the LPGA’s HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore
- The 27-year-old South Korean-born New Zealander had a 54-hole total Saturday of 10-under 206 on the Tanjong course at Sentosa Golf Club
Race to Dubai leader Schaper chases third consecutive victory at Dubai Invitational
- Schaper joins a field that includes defending champion Tommy Fleetwood and 5-time Major champion Rory McIlroy
DUBAI: Race to Dubai leader Jayden Schaper will look to maintain his sensational early-season form when he competes at the Dubai Invitational from Jan. 15 to 18.
The 24-year-old South African is riding high after a spectacular Opening Swing that yielded back-to-back victories and propelled him to the summit of the 2026 rankings.
Schaper’s breakthrough came at the Alfred Dunhill Championship on home soil, where he captured his maiden DP World Tour title in a thrilling play-off victory over defending champion Shaun Norris.
A chip-in birdie at the 16th and an eagle at the first extra hole sealed a memorable win that ended years of knocking on the door.
Just one week later, he demonstrated remarkable composure to defend his play-off crown at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, holing out for eagle on the second extra hole to defeat American Ryan Gerard.
“Obviously I had such a good finish to the year in 2025 — having a win back home with the family watching and then going down to Mauritius and having just another incredible week,” said Schaper.
“I’m just looking forward to the start of this run now, as the Desert Swing is always one of my favorites of the year. The weather is good and the golf courses are always perfect — it’s such an awesome place to be.”
Across three appearances during the Opening Swing, Schaper won twice and finished runner-up at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in honor of Gary Player, amassing 1,348 points to dominate the season’s opening phase.
His Opening Swing triumph secured him entry into the Hero Dubai Desert Classic — the first of five Rolex Series events — and all of the DP World Tour’s Back 9 events, along with a $200,000 bonus.
The rapid ascent comes on the back of a consistent 2025 campaign where he collected nine top-10 finishes from 27 starts, establishing himself as one of the Tour’s most promising talents.
“It’s a massive boost (the back-end of 2025),” said Schaper.
“I think it’s more the belief. I’ve been out on Tour for a few years now, and to get your first win is a massive bonus. But to wait five years for your first win and then get your second the week after is such a special feeling.
“Obviously both wins came in a play-off. You always want to be in the play-off, but it’s a tougher way to win. So, it’s just a huge confidence boost to know that you belong out here.
For Schaper, the Dubai Invitational represents an opportunity to make it three wins and build momentum ahead of a season featuring a minimum of 42 tournaments in 25 countries.
“It’s my first time out there today and the course is really nice,” said Schaper.
“It’s got that desert feel, you’re kind of on the water and on the dunes — it’s really nice, I do enjoy it.
“Obviously when you come out here, you want to win every week, so that’s what we’ll try and do out here. It will be a nice boost to the season, so that’s the goal.”
The Dubai Invitational is the opening event on the Race to Dubai's International Swing and is played concurrently with a three-day Pro-Am team event, with Sunday featuring professionals only.
The bi-annual event consists of 60 professional DP World Tour golfers and 60 amateur golfers.
Schaper joins a field that includes defending champion Tommy Fleetwood, five-time Major champion Rory McIlroy, and Open champions Shane Lowry, Padraig Harrington and Francesco Molinari.
Also playing are multiple DP World Tour winners, including Ryan Fox and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
