Koreans Close In on Another LPGA Win

Kim Mi-hyun (KTF) and Pak Se-ri (CJ), the first generation of Korean LPGA golfers, are competing for their second victory of the season.

At the third round of play at the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic at Highland Meadows in Sylvania, Ohio, Sunday, Kim Mi-hyun tied with Natalie Gulbis and Reilly Rankin at 12 under before the game was suspended. Kim bogeyed three holes until the fourth, but birdied seven holes including the last, the 17th.

Pak Se-ri, winner of the 2006 LPGA Championship, made five birdies without a bogey until she finished the 15th. She tied for fourth place with one shot behind the top group. Pak has won this event four times at the same course, and is likely to win fifth as she bogeyed no holes since the second round.

Jo Young (22) is behind her at 10-under. She finished in 14th with five birdies. Yim Sung-ah, at 9-under, is in seventh place, bringing the number of Korean golfers to four among the top 10. Expectations are high for another victory by a Korean.

Annika Sorenstam finished the 15th at 8-under.

Lee Jee-young and Chung Il-mi ended the day 11th at 6-under after finishing the 13th and 12th holes, respectively.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com