Lydia Ko bids to smash yet another record

• World No.1 trails by one after 54 holes of ANA Inspiration
• Would become youngest to win back-to-back majors
• Thompson, Hull and Matthew also in the mix

Lydia Ko is refusing to get carried away with the prospect of becoming the youngest-ever player to win consecutive majors, despite being just one shot off the lead going into the final round of the ANA Inspiration in California.

World No.1 Ko carded a 69 at Rancho Mirage to reach ten-under-par and trail 54-hole leader Lexi Thompson, who is going for her second victory in three years.

Kiwi ace Ko sealed her first major at last September’s Evian Masters and is just 18 holes away from racking up a second at the age of 18. However, she insists she’s not getting ahead of herself going into today’s fourth and final round.

“I’ve just got to focus on my game and just enjoy being in the final few groups” – Lydia Ko

“If it happens, it happens, but there’s still a lot of golf to be played,” said Ko. “There are so many world-class players at the top of the leaderboard and, around a course like this, somebody a few groups behind could shoot a 66, 65, so who knows?

“I’ve just got to focus on my game and just enjoy being in the final few groups at the first major of the year.”

Thompson, meanwhile, says that she is relishing being in the mix to win her second major championship and hopes that good memories of her 2014 victory will help get her across the finishing line.

“I know what it takes to win on this golf course,” said the American, above. “I absolutely love this golf course. It’s just a great setup, and just the tournament in general, there’s so much history and tradition behind it, so it’s always an honour to put your name on that trophy.”

England’s Charley Hull is sitting two shots behind Thompson after closing her third round with four consecutive birdies. Despite battling a cold, the 20-year-old is determined to make the most of the opportunity to win her first major.

“I’m buzzing for it,” said Hull. “I like the look of the golf course. I feel like it just suits my game.”

Catriona Matthew is also in contention. The Scot, who finished tied for second in this tournament in 2007, is on six-under-par, just four shots off Thompson’s lead.

Who’ll win :: Lydia Ko? Lexi Thompson? Charley Hull? Catriona Matthew?

Ahead of today’s final round of the Ana Inspiration, predict who you think will win the season’s first major. Will Lydia Ko make history? Or will somebody else take the title?

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Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor

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