KO DROPS FROM CONTENTION AT MIZUHO AMERICAS OPEN WITH HORROR ROUND

Kiwi Lydia Ko has fallen out of contention at the LPGA's Mizuho Americas Open, dropping to a tie for 27th place - 10 shots behind the leader - in New Jersey.

Beginning the day in third, Ko carded a five-over 77 to lose 24 places on the leaderboard.

The Kiwi struggled from the beginning of her third round, dropping shots on the third and fifth holes to complete her front nine at two-over.

To make matters worse, Ko began her back nine with another bogey, as she continued to fall out of touch with the leaders.

A birdie on the 15th gave her hope of clawing into her deficit, but a bogey on the 17th wiped any net gain, before a disastrous double-bogey finish on the par-four 18th.

Now at one-under from her first three rounds, Ko trails new leader Rose Zhang by 10 shots, after the American carded a six-under 66 to move from a tie for fourth into first place at 11-under, heading into the last round. 

2023-06-04T00:50:07Z dg43tfdfdgfd