COQUITLAM, B.C. — Like two heavyweight boxers, Lydia Ko and Candie Kung went toe-to-toe during Saturday's third round of the Canadian Pacific Women's Open.
Neither landed a knockout punch.
They will climb back into the ring Sunday, tied for the lead at 12 under heading into the final round of the US$2.25-million event.
Ko, a two-time Canadian Open winner from New Zealand, bogeyed the final hole to drop into a tie with Kung.
Ko had four birdies and shot a 3-under 69. She missed some putts which could have lowered her score but remained happy with her round.
"I left a couple of putts out there," said the 18-year-old who has won two Tour events this year. "I'm playing solid and that's the mindset I've got to have. Just have fun out there tomorrow."
Kung, who hasn't won an LPGA event since 2008, had a mixed day. The second-round leader had three bogeys and four birdies to finish at 71.
"It was actually one of the best ball-striking days I had all week," said the Taiwan native, who now lives in Allen, Texas.
"I'm actually feeling quite comfortable where I am right now."
The winners share of the tournament, being played at the 6,681-yard, par-72 Vancouver Golf Club, is US$337,500.
Ko, who was a 15-year-old amateur when she won on this course in 2012, doubts she will have any advantage on the final day.
"It all depends on how focused I am out there," she said. "If some other player shoots 10 under, it's really out of my hands."
Kung, who finished second at last weekend's LPGA event, said she feels comfortable.
"It's all going to be the same tomorrow," she shrugged. "It's 18 holes, one shot at a time, one putt at a time.
"We will see what happens at the end of the day."
American Alison Lee had one of the day's best rounds. The 20-year-old Tour rookie carded seven birdies for a 66. That left her 10 under and in third place.
"I'm just going to play aggressively," said the Valencia, Calif., native who has four top-10 finishes this year.
"I've been in contention a couple of times but it was a learning experience. I just need to be confident and hit good shots, stay positive. Not expect too much and not get ahead of myself."
France's Karine Icher, who started the day tied for second, shot an even par 72 and slipped into fourth place.
"Hopefully it's going to be better tomorrow," said Icher, who planned to spend the evening with her four-year-old daughter.
Hamilton's Alena Sharp is the top Canadian. She shot a birdie on the back nine to finish 1 under and lower her score to 2 under after three rounds.
"I had a lot of good opportunities, I just didn't make putts," said Sharp, who now lives in Phoenix. "I found the pins were pretty tough.
"I just didn't get it started on my line the way I wanted to on some of the putts. Other than that it was a really good round. I played solid all day."
Sharp has one top-10 finish this year and has won US$131,375.
Teenager Brooke Henderson, of Smiths Falls, Ont., struggled early but settled down to shoot an even-par round. She is 1 over heading into Sunday.
Henderson began with a bogey on the second hole, then hit the water on No. 3 for a double-bogey. The 17-year-old regrouped with birdies on No. 6 and No. 7. Despite some putting problems she put together a sting of pars before ending the day with a birdie.
"It was a really rough start," said Henderson, who became the centre of attention after her LPGA Tour win last weekend. "I am happy to finish with the birdie on 18.
"You feel good about the round even though maybe I shouldn't be."
Henderson became the youngest Canadian to win an LPGA or PGA event with her victory last weekend at the Cambia Portland Classic.
Maude-Aimee Leblanc, of Sherbrooke, Que., carded a 75 and is 4 over heading into the final round.
