Photograph courtesy of Golf Australia

On a brutal day at 13th Beach Golf Links, where winds gusted in excess of 60 kph, it was Korean Ayean Cho who emerged from the pack today to take a one-shot lead into the final round of the ISPS Handa Vic Open.

The 19-year-old Korean had started the day three shots behnd leader Swede Madelene Sagstrom, and despite the extremely challenging conditions was off to a flying start making three birdies in her opening six holes to find herself in a tie for the lead. The world number 34 then found some struggles of her own, throwing in bogies at the 8th, 9th and 11th holes to drop back out of the lead, before finishing strongly with birdies at 13 and 18, to sign for a most impressive 2-under par 70 and a 12-under par total.

Just a shot behind Cho sitting at 11-under par is overnight leader, Swede Madelene Sagstrom, who struggled in the high winds to card a 2-over 74,
The Swede is searching for her second LPGA victory in as many starts in 2020, after breaking through for her first win at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio in Florida two weeks ago. Despite an up and down round which included an eagle and two birdies, the 27-year-old, from Uppsala in Sweden maintained her composure and cant be ruled out tomorrow.  

Canadian Alena Sharp, who also shot an impressive 2-under par 70 today sits alone in 3rd place at -10, while the big mover of the day was former world number 1 So Yeon Ryu who shot a superb 4-under 68, which moved her from a tie for 38th place at the start of the day to sit in a tie for fifth place, just fours shots off the lead. 

Of the Australians competing this week, Minjee Lee will be disappointed with her 2-over par 74, especially after starting so strongly making birdies at three of her first six holes. Unfortunately the wheels came off a little for the 23-year-old, she dropped six shots between the 7th and 17th holes, before making a very welcome birdie at the par 5 closing hole. Lee sits at 7-under par in 7th place, and the Australian number one will need a strong start to her final round to find her way back into contention.
Robyn Choi, Hannah Green, Su Oh, Sarah Kemp and NSW amateur Steph Kyriacou all made it safely through to the final round after today`s second cut to 35 players from each of the mens and womens draws. 

Tomorrow’s final round will start at 7:49 am.

Completed round 3 scores click HERE

Final Round Tee-times click HERE

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