SINGAPORE – Ko Jin-young’s wrist is still not at 100 per cent after an injury that derailed her 2022 season. But that has not stopped the South Korean, who hails from a family of boxers, from throwing punches on the golf course.

Back in Singapore to defend her HSBC Women’s World Championship title, the 27-year-old floundered on the first day, finishing with an even-par 72 at the Sentosa Golf Club for tied-36th.

Day 2 saw Ko bounce back with a seven-under 65 to go joint-eighth, and the feisty golfer continued to fight her way back into contention on Saturday, posting another 65 to top the leaderboard on 14-under 202. American Nelly Korda (68) finished two strokes back, while compatriots Allisen Corpuz and Elizabeth Szokol both carded two-under 70 for joint-third on 11-under 205.

But it was no easy climb for Ko on Saturday, as fans at the rainy New Tanjong Course were treated to a thrilling battle between the South Korean and overnight leader Danielle Kang.

Three behind Kang at the start, world No. 5 Ko delivered the first blow with four birdies in her first five holes to level with the American. Little separated both players on the front nine, as the lead changed hands multiple times before inclement weather saw play halted.

After a two-hour delay, Ko birdied the 13th hole and never looked back as Kang finished with 72 for fifth place on 206.

“I tried to focus really hard over the front nine, and I got four birdies in five holes. I felt today is a good day, so keep going. I tried hard on the back nine,” said Ko, who had eight birdies to a bogey in her round.

“I played well today but I had some missed putts and some great shots but not good shots too. It’s okay, I have one more round to go, so let’s keep it up.”

After winning the HSBC Women’s World Championship last March, a repetitive-motion wrist injury worsened, resulting in sharp pain every time she hit a shot.

She has been winless since the Sentosa win and from August to November last season, she missed the cut in three tournaments and withdrew from the fourth. But the former world No. 1 is on the mend and has started the season strongly, finishing tied-sixth at last week’s LPGA Thailand and is in a prime position to retain her title.

While she admitted there is some way to go, she feels certain aspects of her game are similar to how they were in 2019, when she won four LPGA Tour events, including two Majors.

“I would say (my form is) not 100 per cent, but my swing or my putting feels like in 2019,” said Ko, whose star power was evident on Saturday with fans following her throughout the third round.

“I have good confidence on the course and I want to keep this confidence and I will work harder for this.”

Second-placed Korda is excited to be part of the leading group here again. At the 2018 edition, she led going into the final round, and eventually finished joint-second. The 24-year-old said: “Every day is a new day; your body feels a little different. Hopefully, you recover well, and it depends on the conditions.

“What you kind of need to stick to is your warm-ups and your game plan. If you’re hitting it well and you’re putting it well, hopefully it gets the job done.”

First-round leader Szokol, who is chasing her first LPGA Tour title, is happy to be in contention.

The 28-year-old American bounced back from two bogeys in the front nine to post three birdies and a bogey in the back nine for a 70 to remain in the mix.

She said: “I just had to refocus and get back to fairways and greens. I got a little off track after the delay, and went back to focusing on that and stayed patient with some putts falling, so I just need to do the same thing tomorrow and just enjoy the moment.”

Singapore’s Amanda Tan carded a one-over 73 for tied-60th on seven-over 223, while world No. 1 Lydia Ko (70) finished the round joint-13th with a seven-under 209 total.

Tee times, final round (Selected)

1st hole

7.37am Anna Nordqvist (Swe)
7.49am Lee6 Jeong-eun (Kor)
8.01am Atthaya Thitikul (Tha)
8.13am Ariya Jutanugarn (Tha)
8.37am Lydia Ko (Nzl), Yuka Saso (Jpn)
9.01am Nasa Hataoka (Jpn), Ayaka Furue (Jpn), Linn Grant (Swe)
9.13am Elizabeth Szokol (Usa), Danielle Kang (Usa), Celine Boutier (Fra)
9.25am Ko Jin-young (Kor), Nelly Korda (Usa), Allisen Corpuz (Usa)

10th hole

7.54am Moriya Jutanugarn (Tha)
8.18am Minjee Lee (Aus)
8.30am Patty Tavatanakit (Tha)
9.06am Amanda Tan (Sgp)