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One of the most talented competitors on the Korean LPGA Tour, 23-year-old Hee Kyung Seo is a relatively unknown commodity in the United States. How’s this for under the radar — she doesn’t even have a Wikipedia profile. That almost certainly will change following the conclusion of the LPGA Tour’s Kia Classic Presented by J Golf at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, as Seo, who is playing on a sponsor’s exemption, enters the final round with a five-shot advantage over former Southern California resident Candie Kung. “Five shots is a big lead, but there are lots of great players,” said Seo, affectionately known as the “Supermodel of the Fairways” for the fashionable apparel she frequently dons. “I want to just play my game and not think about other things.” Leading by one shot over Rancho Santa Fe resident In-Kyung Kim through 36 holes, Seo distanced herself in Saturday’s third round by posting a 3-under-par 69 to reach 10-under for the tournament. She made it look relatively easy, too, displaying lots of confidence with her driver and scarcely putting herself in difficult situations around the Tournament Course. Her closest pursuer is Kung, a native of Taiwan who established herself as a premier amateur in Southern California with a stellar junior career in Orange County and an All-America tenure at USC. A four-time LPGA Tour winner whose last victory came at the 2008 Hana Bank-KOLON Championship, the 28-year-old Kung posted a 3-under-par 69 Saturday to hold second place along at 5-under. Kung, who works with Adam Schreiber — the same coach as Los Angeles native Anthony Kim — doesn't think Seo's edge is insurmountable. "If you get lucky out there — if you get the bounce that you need, the bounce in the hole — then you can catch her for sure," said Kung. The duo in third place at 4-under par includes Michelle Wie, who had high hopes for the weekend after shooting up the leaderboard with a 5-under 67 in the second round. The 20-year-old, paired with fellow American upstart Vicky Hurst, failed to capitalize on what she considered solid ballstriking and settled for a 1-over 73. “I felt like I was treading water all day today. Overall, I really thought I played OK,” said Wie. “Hopefully I can just go out there tomorrow and shoot lights out.” Shanshan Feng is tied with Wie at 4-under following a 68, the lowest round of the day which was equaled by Anna Nordqvist and Cristie Kerr. Nordqvist is part of an eight-player logjam in fifth place at 3-under par that includes a pair of Hursts — Vicky and Pat — as well as reigning LPGA Rookie of the Year Jiyai Shin and Kia Classic first-round leader Na On Min. Kim, on the other hand, saw her chances for victory dwindle away as her third progressed. A frequent player at La Costa and student of renowned instructor Jim Flick, the South Korea native made three bogeys in her first five holes before righting the ship with a pair of birdies over the next 10 holes. However, a double bogey on the par-3 16th preceded a gruesome triple bogey on the par-4 17th that led to a 6-over-par 78 and an even-par total, good for 19th place with 18 holes remaining. For a complete leaderboard, visit LPGA.com. Check back to Southland Golf all week for more coverage of the LPGA Tour’s Kia Classic Presented by J Golf. ALSO SEE: Min leads after first round of Kia Classic Five Southern Californians to watch at LPGA Tour's Kia Classic Michael Whan off to a fast start as LPGA Tour commissioner Five LPGA Tour players to watch All you need to know: Kia Classic Presented By J Golf LPGA Tour kicks off 2010 season in Southern California |
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