Shin Da-in hits an iron shot on the first hole. [Photo=KLPGA]
Shin Da-in hits an iron shot on the first hole. [Photo=KLPGA]

Shin Da-in, the defending champion, moved into a share of the lead at the KLPGA Tour KG Ladies Open, which carries a purse of 1 billion won ($724,000).

Shin carded a 5-under-par 67 on Saturday at Turning Point Country Club (par 72) in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, posting six birdies against one bogey in the third round. Her three-round total of 9-under-par 207 placed her in a four-way tie for the lead alongside Noh Seung-hee, Park Hye-jun and Yoo A-hyun.

Shin had opened the tournament tied for 38th after a 2-under 70, then matched that score on Friday despite a demanding pin placement to move into a tie for 18th. On moving day Saturday, she climbed to the top of the leaderboard and put herself in position to win the title for a second consecutive year.

Shin claimed her first victory on the regular tour at this event last year, defeating Yoo Hyun-jo in a two-hole playoff. She drew attention in the first playoff hole when her tee shot struck a cart path and traveled 408 meters.

"My play has been getting better as the tournament goes on, and I'm happy with that," Shin said after her round. "Turning Point seems to have good energy that helps me." She added that she was not about to deny her desire to defend the title. "It would be a lie to say I don't want to win again. I've put myself in a great position, so I'll give everything I have until the very end and go for back-to-back wins."

Now in its 15th edition, the tournament was held over three rounds through last year but expanded to four rounds this year. Shin said the change suited her. "This year I've had more good results in four-round events than in three-round ones," she said. "I actually think the extra round works in my favor."

Noh, who had held the outright lead on Friday, traded three birdies for three bogeys on Saturday and was caught by the chasing pack. Park Hye-jun made five birdies with no bogeys to post a 5-under 67 and join the lead group.

Yang Hyo-jin fired the day's best round, a bogey-free 7-under 65 that included four consecutive birdies on holes 6 through 9, to reach 8-under 208 for the tournament. She joined Seo Gyo-rim, Choi Ye-rim, Lee Seung-yeon and Thailand's Jaravee Boonchant in a five-way tie for fifth, one stroke off the lead.

Seo, who is chasing a record third consecutive KLPGA victory, posted a 4-under 68 on moving day — six birdies, two bogeys — to climb into the tie for fifth. "The overall momentum is really good right now, so if I just keep things going tomorrow I think I can absolutely compete for the win," she said. "I'll try not to think about the record as much as possible and just focus on my own game the way I always do."

Boonchant, who won the E1 Charity Open in May, had been near the top of the leaderboard before making a triple bogey on the par-4 13th hole to fall back into the tie for fifth. Her second shot from a fairway bunker on the 13th struck a rock and flew into the woods beside the opposite fairway, resulting in a lost ball and a three-stroke penalty.


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