But defending champion and world No 1 Lydia Ko will be playing for pride on Sunday after enduring a horror start to her third round, dropping four shots in five holes from the second.
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Korean Park, a non-member of the LPGA Tour who led during this year’s U.S. Women’s Open where she tied for third, grabbed a share of the lead by sinking an 18-foot birdie putt at the 18th.
The world No 7 followed back-to-back gains from the sixth by picking up another stroke at the ninth, while Park later joined her at the top by birdieing six of her final 10 holes.
PHOTO – In Gee Chun; credit Evian ChampionshipWritten and released by Lali Stander on behalf of the Sunshine Ladies Tour and WPGA. “I think like just let it go”.
Chun had a strong back nine with three birdies and an eagle to finish four clear of compatriot Sung Hyun Park.
Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn, the world number two and victor of the Women’s British Open in July, was playing with Chun, but had a demoralising triple-bogey seven at the 18th, her ninth hole.
Henderson finished tied 25th on her Evian debut past year when she was a rookie on Tour.
“Rio was a really good experience”, she said.
“It is a really big honor for me, but I just have to stick with my game plan”, said Chun.
“It was good to have my mum back on the bag”.”To remember all the seats by the green to be all full of people, for people to cheer our final group on, and the double whammy tears and the New Zealand flag, there’s so many great things about this event”, she said.
South Korean So Yeon Ryu, who has been remarkably consistent with only one bogey in three rounds – on her 10th hole Saturday – is seven shots behind Chun in fourth place. She shot the lowest round in major history with a 61 during the first round here two years ago.
CHAMPIONS: Kevin Sutherland birdied four of his last six holes for 4-under 68 and the second-round lead in the Nature Valley First Tee Open in Pebble Beach, Calif. Sutherland had 8-under 135 total for a one-stroke lead over first-round leader Paul Broadhurst (70).
Her best performance in a major was back in 2003, when she was tied for second at the U.S. Women’s Open. “But I still feel like I have a little energy”.
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“There’s no flat lie anywhere, and then the greens are impossible”, the 30-year-old American said. The 59-year-old German star leads the tour with four victories this season.
