8:08 am today

Lydia Ko still in contention at Women's Scottish Open

8:08 am today
New Zealand's Lydia Ko competes during round 3 of the women’s golf individual stroke play of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Le Golf National in Guyancourt, south-west of Paris on August 9, 2024. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP)

Photo: AFP/PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU

New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko dropped down the leaderboard but is still in contention heading into the final round of the Women's Scottish Open.

Ko was in a three-way tie for third, just two shots off the pace after two rounds.

The Olympic gold medallist is now sixth on the leaderboard, after firing a 71 to sit at 7-under, five shots off new leader American Lauren Coughlin.

Coughlin carded a 6-under-par 66 to seize a one-stroke lead.

Coughlin, who earned her first career LPGA win last month at the CPKC Women's Open, collected six birdies during her round to reside at 12-under 204 for the tournament at Dundonald Links.

She rolled in a birdie on the 18th hole to give her a one-shot lead over Megan Khang, who shared the 36-hole lead with two-time major champion Minjee Lee of Australia.

Khang totalled three birdies during her bogey-free round, with her final one coming after a long putt on the 17th hole.

Olympic silver medalist Esther Henseleit (66) of Germany recorded an eagle on the par-5 14th hole to go along with five birdies and one bogey.

Henseleit and Charley Hull (69) of England are tied for third place at 9-under, one stroke ahead of Lee (72).